AuctionsApr 28, 2022
15-Carat Fancy Vivid Blue Diamond Sells for $57.5MSourcingJul 28, 2022
Lucapa Says This 170-Carat Diamond Is the Largest Pink Found in 300 Years
The type II diamond came out of the Lulo alluvial mine in Angola and will be sold via international tender.
Luanda, Angola—An alluvial diamond mine in Angola has yielded a 170-carat diamond said to be the largest pink diamond recovered in hundreds of years.
Lucapa Diamond Company Limited, Endiama E.P. and Rosas & Petalas, partners in operating the Lulo mine, announced the discovery Wednesday.
They’ve dubbed the stone “The Lulo Rose,” and claim it’s the largest pink diamond unearthed in 300 years, making its recovery a “significant day” for the Angolan diamond industry, said José Manuel Ganga Júnior, chairman of the board of Endiama, Angola’s state-run diamond company.
Lucapa said the last pink diamond to exceed the Lulo Rose in size was the rough that resulted in the 242-carat pink “Great Table Diamond,” which famous jeweler and traveler Jean-Baptiste Tavernier wrote about in 1642.
The Great Table did not survive.
According to Lang Antiques’ Antique Jewelry University, the diamond was involved in an “unrecorded accident” and had to be cut into two smaller stones, the 182-carat “Darya-ye-Noor” (also spelled “Darya-i-Noor”) and the 60-carat “Nul-ul-Ain.”
The Darya-ye-Noor is now part of the Iranian Crown Jewels and is currently held in the Central Bank of Iran in Tehran.
While the discovery of a 170-carat pink diamond is rare, The Lulo Rose is the 27th 100-carat-plus diamond recovered from Lulo since Lucapa and its partners began mining there in January 2015.
Lulo has produced Angola’s two largest diamonds on record, the biggest of which was the 404-carat “4th February Stone.”
Mined in February 2016, the Type IIa D-color stone sold the following month for $16 million, or nearly $40,000 per carat.
In a statement on the discovery of The Lulo Rose, Lucapa Managing Director Stephen Wetherall called the alluvial mine an “exceptional resource” that is “a gift.”
“We are once again made very proud by yet another historic recovery,” he said. “We too look forward to our partnership progressing its exploration effort, where we are now bulk sampling the priority kimberlites, in search for the primary kimberlite sources of these exceptional and high-value diamonds.”
Lucapa said the company is not releasing any estimates on The Lulo Rose’s potential sale price.
Sodiam E.P., Angola’s state-owned diamond marketing company, will sell the diamond via an international tender at a yet-to-be-determined date.
Related stories will be right here …
Lucapa Diamond Company Limited, Endiama E.P. and Rosas & Petalas, partners in operating the Lulo mine, announced the discovery Wednesday.
They’ve dubbed the stone “The Lulo Rose,” and claim it’s the largest pink diamond unearthed in 300 years, making its recovery a “significant day” for the Angolan diamond industry, said José Manuel Ganga Júnior, chairman of the board of Endiama, Angola’s state-run diamond company.
Lucapa said the last pink diamond to exceed the Lulo Rose in size was the rough that resulted in the 242-carat pink “Great Table Diamond,” which famous jeweler and traveler Jean-Baptiste Tavernier wrote about in 1642.
The Great Table did not survive.
According to Lang Antiques’ Antique Jewelry University, the diamond was involved in an “unrecorded accident” and had to be cut into two smaller stones, the 182-carat “Darya-ye-Noor” (also spelled “Darya-i-Noor”) and the 60-carat “Nul-ul-Ain.”
The Darya-ye-Noor is now part of the Iranian Crown Jewels and is currently held in the Central Bank of Iran in Tehran.
“The Lulo Rose” next to an 80-carat white diamond also mined at Lulo (Photo courtesy of Lucapa Diamond Company Ltd.)
While the discovery of a 170-carat pink diamond is rare, The Lulo Rose is the 27th 100-carat-plus diamond recovered from Lulo since Lucapa and its partners began mining there in January 2015.
Lulo has produced Angola’s two largest diamonds on record, the biggest of which was the 404-carat “4th February Stone.”
Mined in February 2016, the Type IIa D-color stone sold the following month for $16 million, or nearly $40,000 per carat.
In a statement on the discovery of The Lulo Rose, Lucapa Managing Director Stephen Wetherall called the alluvial mine an “exceptional resource” that is “a gift.”
“We are once again made very proud by yet another historic recovery,” he said. “We too look forward to our partnership progressing its exploration effort, where we are now bulk sampling the priority kimberlites, in search for the primary kimberlite sources of these exceptional and high-value diamonds.”
Lucapa said the company is not releasing any estimates on The Lulo Rose’s potential sale price.
Sodiam E.P., Angola’s state-owned diamond marketing company, will sell the diamond via an international tender at a yet-to-be-determined date.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
MajorsFeb 27, 2026
Jewelers Mutual to Donate $10M to Savannah College of Art and DesignA 10-year alliance has also begun to address the shortage of bench jewelers through scholarships, enhanced programs, and updated equipment.
CollectionsFeb 27, 2026
Renato Cipullo Turns Gold into HardstonesThe “Splendente” collection has evolved to feature hardstone letter pendants, including our Piece of the Week, the onyx “R.”
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
AuctionsFeb 26, 2026
Noonans to Auction Lady Wardington’s JewelryThe jewelry collection belonged to “one of society's most glamorous and beautiful women of the mid-20th century,” said the auction house.
Weekly QuizFeb 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsFeb 26, 2026
Practical Ways Jewelers Can Leverage AI in 2026Emmanuel Raheb discusses the rise of “GEO” and the importance of having well-written, quality content on your website.
CrimeFeb 26, 2026
Three Sentenced in California Jewelry HeistEach received around four years for burglarizing a jewelry store and a coffee shop in Simi Valley, California, last May.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2026
GIA Names 2026 Jewelry Design Contest Winner, Retires Annual AwardCatherine Aulick, a GIA graduate, received the ninth and final Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
TrendsFeb 25, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
SourcingFeb 25, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
EditorsFeb 25, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
PodcastsFeb 25, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
WatchesFeb 25, 2026
Private Equity Firms Write Down Value of Breitling, Report SaysThe Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2026
Rahaminov Diamonds’ New Campaign Honors Its MatriarchThe campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.
IndependentsFeb 25, 2026
Borsheims Names 2025 ‘Ike-It’ Award WinnerRachel Bennett, a senior jeweler who has been with Borsheims since 2004, earned the award.
Policies & IssuesFeb 24, 2026
IEEPA Tariffs Terminated, New 10% Tariff Already ImposedAfter the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Sherry Smith Now Principal Partner at The Retail SmithsThe industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Yafa Signed Jewels to Open Store in MiamiThe vintage signed jewelry retailer chose Miami due to growing client demand in the city and the greater Latin American region.
WatchesFeb 24, 2026
Chrono24 Names New VP, U.S. General ManagerFormer Flight Club executive Jin Lee will bring his experience from the sneaker world to the pre-owned watch marketplace.
SourcingFeb 23, 2026
Designer Eddie Sakamoto, a Humble Artist, Dies at 72Sakamoto, who died in mid-January following a sudden illness, is remembered for his humility and his masterful, architectural designs.
Events & AwardsFeb 23, 2026
NYCJAOS Announces Four-Day Spring ShowThe April event will feature a new VIP shopping day requiring a special ticket.
TrendsFeb 23, 2026
Dua Lipa Is Bulgari’s New AmbassadorBulgari chose the British-Albanian singer-songwriter for her powerful and enduring voice in contemporary culture, the jeweler said.
Policies & IssuesFeb 20, 2026
Supreme Court Rules Against Most of President Trump’s TariffsIn a 6-3 ruling, the court said the president exceeded his authority when imposing sweeping tariffs under IEEPA.
ColumnistsFeb 20, 2026
Peter Smith: Happiness, Cavemen, and Jewelry SalesSmith encourages salespeople to ask customers questions that elicit the release of oxytocin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.
MajorsFeb 20, 2026
Jewelers Vigilance Committee Names Julie Yoakum Board ChairJVC also announced the election of five new board members.
CollectionsFeb 20, 2026
Boucheron’s ‘Faisceaux’ Brooch Heads to V&A MuseumThe brooch, our Piece of the Week, shows the chromatic spectrum through a holographic coating on rock crystal.
