Although it is not known exactly when the diamond entered the House of Habsburg, it has been officially recorded as the property of the ArchdukeJoseph August of Austria, Palatine of Hungary (1872-1962), and was subsequently named after him.
Christie's specialist, Jean Marc Lunel, said the ArchdukeJoseph is prized because it boasts the highest quality of shape, colour and clarity that can be found in a diamond.