Lesedi La Rona is the name given to a 1,109-carat gem-quality rough diamond discovered in November 2015 at the Karowe Mine in Botswana, operated by Lucara Diamond Corporation. The name means "Our Light" in the Tswana language of Botswana. It is the fifth-largest diamond ever found and the third-largest of gem quality, surpassed only by the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond.
Discovery and Description
The rough diamond was recovered using X-Ray Transmission Technology (XRT) at the Karowe Mine. It was originally referred to as "Karowe AK6" or "Quad 1" by mine personnel. The stone was described as approximately tennis-ball-sized and exhibited exceptional clarity and color.
Auction and Sale
In June 2016, the Lesedi La Rona was offered at a Sotheby's auction in London with an estimated value exceeding $100 million. The highest bid reached $61 million, which fell short of the undisclosed reserve price, and the stone was withdrawn. In September 2017, British jeweler Graff Diamonds purchased the rough diamond in a private sale for $53 million.
Cutting and Polishing
Graff's team of gemologists and master polishers spent over 18 months analyzing, cutting, and polishing the rough stone. The process involved custom-built software to assess internal imperfections and state-of-the-art laser cutting technology. The rough diamond yielded 67 polished diamonds in total.
The principal resulting stone, named the Graff Lesedi La Rona, is a 302.37-carat square emerald cut diamond, graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) as D color and flawless clarity. It is recognized as the largest square emerald cut diamond in the world and the largest diamond of the highest color and clarity ever certified by the GIA. The remaining 66 diamonds from the rough range in size from less than one carat to approximately 26 carats.
Significance
The Lesedi La Rona is considered one of the most significant diamond discoveries of the 21st century. Its discovery in Botswana is notable because the country has used diamond mining revenues to fund infrastructure, education, and healthcare, making it one of Africa's most stable economies. The stone is frequently compared to the Cullinan diamond, which produced gems now held in the British Crown Jewels.
