Translated by google:

Italy and Austria are both investigating whether they can recover the Florentin diamond. The centuries-old art treasure was lost for over a century, but this month it was discovered in a vault in Canada. The former imperial Habsburg family considers the stone private property, while Italy and Austria consider it a treasure of national importance. Who is right?

"These are really not crown jewels, these are private property!" says Karl Habsburg on behalf of the family. He removed the Florentin diamond from the world of conspiracy and mystery by revealing a family secret and announcing that the diamond is in a vault in Canada.

The family that headed the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy kept the historic diamond's existence secret for over a century and refuses to hear of any potential claims. Habsburg claims the jewel was privately owned, taken by his grandmother, Empress Dowager Zita, when she went into exile in Canada. In an Austrian television interview with Habsburg, a journalist told him that the editors could not find a single historian who agreed with that account.

Appeal to Old Laws

With the publication of new photos, testimonies, and reports from the vault in Canada, the legal successors of the Dual Monarchy see their opportunity. Austrian Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler has commissioned lawyers to investigate how the precious gem can be returned to Vienna.

Viennese lawyer Philipp Springer believes Austria has a chance, but the family might be in a better position. "Austria will likely invoke the Habsburg Law of 1919, which stipulated that virtually all imperial property in Austria belongs to the young republic. The family believes the Florentiner diamond cannot fall under that law, because it had already left the country by then.

"But that doesn't really matter, because the diamond was in a kind of trust, and that is by definition indivisible," says Springer. "Wherever the diamond was." The family has a stronger case for the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which determined the division of the monarchy's assets after the First World War. Springer: "It clearly states that no claims can be made on the former rulers' belongings outside Austria."

"Warm yellow like a good Scotch whisky," Viennese jeweler Köchert commented on the condition of the 137-carat Florentiner:

Some eight hundred kilometers to the south, in Florence, the stone, which, incidentally, bears the city's name, has also been of interest. The Florentiner was owned by the Italian Medici, the Grand Dukes of Tuscany. When that title came into the hands of the Austrian emperor in the 18th century, he broke a will stipulating that the jewels, including the Florentiner, must remain where they were. Emperor Francis I Stephen moved the treasures to Vienna.

From the Medici Residence

After the First World War, the Florentiner "disappeared," but during that period, Austria did return other Tuscan jewels to Italy. "And there may be a precedent there," says Cristina Acidini, a Florentine art historian.

"It's clear that the jewel belonged to the Tuscan state and that the Habsburgs expropriated it," she continues. Acidini can already imagine the Florentine jewel returning to the other jewels in the former Medici residence. "It's a jewel that emphasized the family's strength and good taste. It would become a new attraction of great cultural significance."

"Italy may well have the best credentials," agrees Viennese lawyer Springer. "The Treaty of Saint-Germain mentions the Medici's private jewels and calls for an investigation into whether they should be returned to Tuscany."

Quiet Diplomacy

Art historian Acidini believes the matter should be discussed at the highest levels. "Presidents, heads of government, and ministers of culture must speak directly with each other." A return would be the ideal outcome, although she would also celebrate a temporary exhibition featuring the Florentine artist as a success.

The Florence city council is already urging action in Rome, but the Italian and Austrian authorities are only vague. The first steps are being taken behind the scenes, according to the rules of quiet diplomacy. Only in court will the validity of the agreements made over a century ago become clear.