Noble Blood: "The Missing Diamond in Case XIII"

Podcast: Noble Blood
Host: Dana Schwartz
Episode Date: January 20, 2026

Overview

In this episode, host Dana Schwartz dives into the mysterious fate of one of history’s most legendary jewels: the Florentine diamond. She unpacks the intrigue of its disappearance from the Habsburg imperial treasury at the end of World War I, the legends and drama surrounding its centuries-old journey through European dynasties, and its stunning rediscovery in 2025 after being hidden away for over a century. The episode focuses on themes of royal collapse, lost treasures, and the remarkable resilience and secrecy of Empress Zita of Austria.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Fall of the Habsburg Empire and the Disappearance of the Diamond

• Backdrop: It’s November 1, 1918—World War I is ending, the Habsburg empire is in ruins, and Emperor Charles I is preparing for exile.
• The Heist: The Lord Chamberlain, Count Leopold Berchtold, is tasked with removing the imperial jewels, including the famed Florentine diamond, from the treasury. Wrapped in paper and packed into two bags, the jewels leave Austria for Switzerland (00:14-02:32).
• Ownership Dispute: The legitimacy of the family’s claim over the jewels becomes murky, as crown jewels are typically property of the nation, not the individual monarchs. This creates lasting legal controversy over the next century.

2. Legends and Provenance of the Florentine Diamond

• Physical Description: The Florentine diamond is a 137-carat, yellow-hued stone, once described as “wine mixed tenfold with water” (03:11).
• Mystical Origins:
  • Medici Version: Documented history begins with the Medici in Florence.
  • Burgundy Version: Allegedly worn by Charles the Bold during the Battle of Nancy in 1477; possibly lost on the battlefield and sold for a pittance by a scavenger (03:45-05:23).
  • Indian Version: Alternatively traced to southern India, purchased from the King of Vijayanagar, eventually reaching the Medici by way of Jesuits in Rome.
• Historical Journey:
  • Gifted, inherited, and set into crowns and ornaments by various dynasties (Medici, Habsburg-Lorraine).
  • Worn by Francis Stephen when he became Holy Roman Emperor.
  • Remained a storied Habsburg possession until the collapse of the empire.

3. Unraveling Dynastic Drama

• Succession Intrigue: Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s morganatic marriage means his children are disinherited, elevating Charles to heir apparent (07:17-09:10).
• Empress Zita’s Background: Zita comes from illustrious stock but personal hardship, foreshadowing her resilience in war and exile (09:11-10:50).
• The Tumult of Exile:
  • Charles and Zita flee Austria and end up in Madeira, Portugal, with assistance from King George V of England, who fears more royal executions (11:37-13:30).
  • Charles dies young; Zita is left widowed and responsible for eight children.
  • The family’s château in Belgium is bombed by Nazis, and they eventually escape to Quebec, thanks to help from the U.S. and their Portuguese heritage allowing passage.

4. The Secret of the Diamond

• Exile Hardships: Despite financial struggles and frequent uprooting, Zita never sells or surrenders the family treasures (15:37-17:10).
• The Big Reveal (2025):
  • On November 6, 2025, The New York Times reports the Florentine diamond has been “found”—but in truth, it was never lost. Zita entrusted the secret to only two of her sons, Robert and Rudolph, making them promise to keep it hidden for 100 years after Charles’s death (17:11-18:40).
  • In 2025, their sons Lorenz and Simeon finally open a Quebec bank vault and reveal the diamond to their cousin Karl, as captured by a Times reporter.
  • The diamond had been left untouched and intact in Quebec, a testament to Zita’s loyalty to her family legacy.

5. Legal and Historical Consequences

• Ownership Controversy: The diamond’s legal status remains ambiguous; the Austrian state forms a commission to investigate its claim (18:49-19:20).
• The Habsburgs’ Stance: The family wishes to display the diamond in a Canadian museum as gratitude for their refuge.
• Historical Preservation: For the first time, the diamond will be on public display instead of locked away—“a win for history lovers” (19:20).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the imperial treasures:
  “The display of crown jewels was staggeringly impressive. This is the Habsburg dynasty, for goodness sake. The display cases boasted glittering crowns, dripping pearls and diamonds so large that they look fake.”
  – Dana Schwartz (00:26)

• On the Florentine diamond’s color:
  “It’s yellowish, slightly golden, once described as wine mixed tenfold with water.”
  – Dana Schwartz (03:17)

• On dynastic decline:
  “Dynastic families fall, but diamonds are forever.”
  – Dana Schwartz (06:29)

• On exile and resilience:
  “Zita, just 29 years old, was now widowed with almost eight children.”
  – Dana Schwartz (13:32)

• On the secret’s longevity:
  “Despite the fact that Zita and her family had been pulled ragged through Europe and their finances had been at times very meager, she held on to what she believed to be an important piece of her family’s history, keeping it intact, even if that meant keeping it secret. And she did.”
  – Dana Schwartz (18:34)

• On the diamond’s rediscovery:
  “It seems a win for history lovers that no matter where the diamond ends up, it will be on public display, not sold, not cut up, and no longer hidden.”
  – Dana Schwartz (19:20)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:14 – 02:32: The collapsing empire and the removal of the crown jewels
• 03:45 – 07:05: Myths and recorded history of the Florentine diamond
• 09:10 – 13:30: The personal saga of Charles, Zita, and their exile
• 15:37 – 17:10: Hardships of Zita in exile and her guardianship of the diamond
• 17:11 – 18:40: The modern-day revelation and the diamond’s rediscovery
• 18:49 – 19:20: Legal aftermath and the diamond’s public future

Conclusion

Dana Schwartz weaves a captivating story of dynasty, downfall, myth, and secrecy—centered on one of Europe’s most storied jewels. Audiences are left marveling at Empress Zita’s resolve and the Florentine diamond’s odyssey through centuries and continents, now emerging as a surviving witness to royal history and tragedy. Through meticulous research and evocative storytelling, this episode brings to light not just a lost diamond, but the very human saga behind it.