Laurence Graff, O.B.E., is a British businessman, the self-made billionaire Founder and Chairman of Graff Diamonds, a global leader in high jewelry and luxury diamond retail. Born in Stepney, East London, in 1938, to a Romanian Jewish family, his career is defined by audacious risk-taking and a commitment to quality and vertical integration.

Graff left school at age 14 and began his career as an apprentice jeweler in Hatton Garden (London's jewelry quarter). He was fired at age 15 for unsubstantiated claims of incompetence—a rejection that fueled his relentless drive. His philosophy centers on securing the rarest, largest diamonds and controlling the entire process from mine to market.

• Graff Diamonds (Founder & Chairman): The core private asset, a global leader in high jewelry and luxury diamonds (operating over 50 retail stores globally).
• Vertical Integration: His success is built on controlling the entire diamond supply chain (sourcing, cutting, polishing, and retailing).
• Diamond Apex: He is famous for acquiring and cutting some of the world's most famous and largest diamonds (e.g., the Graff Pink).
• Philanthropy: He founded the Facara Foundation and the Graff Leadership Center in South Africa, supporting education and healthcare (particularly HIV/AIDS prevention).

Laurence Graff's strategic genius was his commitment to vertical integration. In 1960, he opened his first two retail stores in London. In 1962, he founded Graff Diamonds. His audacity was legendary: he became famous for acquiring and cutting rare, massive diamonds (often in the millions of dollars), such as the Graff Pink and the Lesotho Promise.

His structural contribution is tied to professionalizing the high-end diamond retail sector and driving transparency (adhering to Kimberley Process). His son, François Graff, is the CEO and manages the day-to-day operations. His wealth is secured by the colossal, long-term, stable profitability of the global luxury diamond market.

Laurence Graff's social impact is structural, stemming from Graff Diamonds' role as a massive global employer and leader in the luxury goods industry. His commitment to ethical sourcing (Kimberley Process) sets a high standard. His Graff Leadership Center provides a major structural contribution to HIV/AIDS prevention and education in South Africa.

His career is a testament to the profitability of disciplined vertical integration and entrepreneurial audacity in the high-stakes diamond trade.

Laurence Graff maintains the professional, elegant style of a luxury executive. His attire is consistently bespoke, favoring dark, tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects stability and immense corporate authority, typical of a leader in the global high jewelry market.

Residing in Geneva, Switzerland (and the U.K.), his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to diamond mastery, art collecting, and high-impact philanthropy.