He retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
What 2017 Has in Store for the World’s Largest Rough Diamond
The Lesedi la Rona, which failed to sell last summer, likely will be offered via a sealed bid tender in 2017.

Vancouver B.C., Canada--The Lesedi la Rona, the world’s largest discovered diamond that’s still in rough form, likely will be offered for sale again in 2017.
The stone, which was found at Lucara Diamond Corp.’s Karowe Mine in Botswana in late 2015, currently is “undergoing detailed analysis to better understand the polished outcome,” Lucara CEO William Lamb said.
Last June, Lucara made the unorthodox move of trying to sell the Lesedi la Rona in a public auction.
The gamble didn’t pay off.
The 1,109-carat diamond failed to meet its reserve price at Sotheby’s London.
Now, Lucara is waiting on the diamond’s evaluation, which will be finished during the first quarter of 2017, to “determine the next steps in terms of the sale of the diamond,” Lamb told National Jeweler.
Prior to last summer’s sale, Sotheby’s reported that two independent experts predicted that the Lesedi la Rona would yield a polished diamond larger than the Great Star of Africa.
Following its evaluation, the stone’s reserve price was set at $70 million but the highest bid fell short, reaching only $61 million, $68.3 million with buyer’s premium.
“The analysis will provide a better estimate of what the stone could yield and subsequently provide guidance on the value of the stone in the rough,” Lamb explained of re-determining the stone’s price, though he noted that the figure won’t be made public once it is reached.
Though Lucara hasn’t confirmed how they will go about selling the stone, Lamb said they “are considering a sealed bid tender.”
Buyer interest in the Lesedi la Rona remains high, he added.
“We have had continuous requests regarding the stone since the Sotheby’s auction in June. Only those persons who have shown an interest since the auction and who have requested the information from the detailed analysis will be invited to further view the stone and participate in the sales process.”
The Latest

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.

The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

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

Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.


The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.

Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025

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

Globally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.

The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.

A new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.

The middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.

It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.

The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.

The auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.

Jake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.

The “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.

The Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.

Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.

In addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.

The “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.

The seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.

The New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.

Its sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.

For its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.

The jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.

Inspired by fiancé Sid Wilson’s nickname for her, the white and yellow diamond ring features a unique honeycomb design.