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B Y F R A N C I N E B A L L A R D 38 Donald Robertson Graff, having famously produced some of the world's largest flawless diamonds, joins the stream of luxury purveyors who have chosen Houston as their foothold in Texas; Graff opened quietly in October within the newly renovated Saks Fifth Avenue in the Galleria — the first Graff location in the state. Founded by Lau- rence Graff in 1960, and overseen today by his son, François, Graff owns and operates the largest diamond-cutting factory in South Africa, which enables the company to manage every aspect of their exceptional gemstones, start to finish. Trophy stones include the 603-carat Lesotho Promise, the 105.07-carat, D flawless Graff Vendomem, and the 132.55-carat fancy intense yellow Golden Empress. Crafted in the London headquarters, each jewel requires hun- dreds of hours of labor — a painstaking process of cutting, polishing, and setting the stones, making the jewels among the most sought after with private collectors on every continent.The new bou- tique is a fitting vault to such greatness, with golden dichroic glass panels, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and an elaborate marble floor designed by Graff's Monaco-based interior design team. Graff at Saks Fifth Avenue, Galleria, 5175 Westheimer Road, 713.230.8178, graffdiamonds.com. Graff Carissa diamond necklace, 57.68 total carat weight, price upon request, at Graff Diamonds, Saks Fifth Avenue GRAFF'S BRILLIANT ENTRANCE AT SAKS FIFTH AVENUE FLAWLESS