The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
Graff Unveils First Diamonds Cut from 1,109-Carat Stone
The company said it expects Lesedi La Rona, the second largest rough diamond ever found, to yield 60 diamonds.

London—After more than a year of detailed analysis, cutting and polishing by a team of experts, Graff Diamonds has begun unveiling the diamonds cleaved from the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona.
Mining company Lucara recovered the Type IIa diamond, which weighed 1,111 carats before cleaning, at its Karowe mine in Botswana in November 2015.
It was huge diamond mining news, as the stone that would later be dubbed “Lesedi La Rona,” or “Our Light” in Setswana, was the second largest rough diamond ever found. It is topped only by the 3,106-carat Cullinan unearthed in South Africa in January 1905.
Lesedi La Rona went up for auction at Sotheby’s London in June 2016, where it was expected to go for more than $70 million but did not sell.
RELATED CONTENT: Why the Biggest Rough Diamond in a Century Failed to SellIn September 2017, almost two years after the diamond’s discovery, Lucara announced that Graff Diamonds—which is owned by billionaire diamantaire Laurence Graff, known as the Harry Winston of the modern age—had paid $53 million for the tennis-ball sized stone.
The 1,109-carat diamond was a natural addition to the company’s inventory—at the time of purchase, Graff Diamonds already owned a 373.72-carat chunk that broke off the Lesedi La Rona, paying $17.5 million for it.

Now, Graff has started to reveal the cut and polished stones resulting from this history-making piece of rough.
Graff Diamonds is not releasing detailed information about how many diamonds have been cut from Lesedi La Rona so far, saying only that it expects the stone to yield about 60 diamonds ranging in size from less than a carat to more than 100 carats, with the main stone, which will be the most exceptional, still in polishing.
The company said each will be D color and of “exceptional clarity,” and will be graded by the Gemological Institute of America before being inscribed with “Graff, Lesedi La Rona” and a unique GIA ID number.
When asked about the progress on the 373.72-carat rough diamond it also owns, a company spokesperson said that for now, its focus is on the Lesedi La Rona.
The Latest

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.


Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.

The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.

The “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.

The event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.

The Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.

Agents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.

The designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.

The trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.

Lori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.

The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.

The “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.

Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.

National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.

The winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

The singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.

The bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.

The heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.

The 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.