The $300K Diamond Heist at 200 MPH: How Brad Pitt, George Clooney, and a Crashed F1 Car Sparked Racing’s Greatest Mystery
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/how-an-f1-team-lost-a-300k-diamond-at-the-2004-monaco-grand-prix-/10724749/
Hey, Richie D here—me and my brother Sal built D’Errico Jewelry from the ground up in the Bronx, so when there's a story involving a diamond and a bit of drama, you better believe I'm all ears. Now get this: back in 2004, Jaguar Racing pulls a real Hollywood move at the Monaco Grand Prix. They embed a $300,000 diamond—yeah, a real one—into the nose of their F1 car as part of a stunt for Ocean’s Twelve. Why? Because Brad Pitt and George Clooney were trackside that day, soaking in the glitz and glamour. Big stars, big race… and apparently, big diamonds flying off cars.
So here’s the kicker. First lap of the race—first lap!—the car crashes at the Loews hairpin. And when they haul the wreckage back to the garage? That beautiful rock is gone. Poof. Just vanished. Some say a track marshal may have “found” it. Others think it’s still out there, buried in a guardrail or rolled into the streets of Monaco. No one knows. No security footage, no insurance payout, and definitely no diamond. It’s like a deleted scene straight outta Ocean’s Twelve.
Now listen, I’ve set diamonds in everything from engagement rings to watches to chains, but a race car? That’s just asking for trouble. Sal and I always say—diamonds belong on people, not in high-speed billboards with wheels. It's a wild story, sure. But maybe next time, Hollywood should leave the jewels to the pros.
Browse Our Handpicked Selection of Large Diamonds:
https://www.derricojewelry.com/diamonds?labGrown=1&carat=7-20
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/how-an-f1-team-lost-a-300k-diamond-at-the-2004-monaco-grand-prix-/10724749/
Hey, Richie D here—me and my brother Sal built D’Errico Jewelry from the ground up in the Bronx, so when there's a story involving a diamond and a bit of drama, you better believe I'm all ears. Now get this: back in 2004, Jaguar Racing pulls a real Hollywood move at the Monaco Grand Prix. They embed a $300,000 diamond—yeah, a real one—into the nose of their F1 car as part of a stunt for Ocean’s Twelve. Why? Because Brad Pitt and George Clooney were trackside that day, soaking in the glitz and glamour. Big stars, big race… and apparently, big diamonds flying off cars.
So here’s the kicker. First lap of the race—first lap!—the car crashes at the Loews hairpin. And when they haul the wreckage back to the garage? That beautiful rock is gone. Poof. Just vanished. Some say a track marshal may have “found” it. Others think it’s still out there, buried in a guardrail or rolled into the streets of Monaco. No one knows. No security footage, no insurance payout, and definitely no diamond. It’s like a deleted scene straight outta Ocean’s Twelve.
Now listen, I’ve set diamonds in everything from engagement rings to watches to chains, but a race car? That’s just asking for trouble. Sal and I always say—diamonds belong on people, not in high-speed billboards with wheels. It's a wild story, sure. But maybe next time, Hollywood should leave the jewels to the pros.
Browse Our Handpicked Selection of Large Diamonds:
https://www.derricojewelry.com/diamonds?labGrown=1&carat=7-20