CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé PendantThe special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.
EditorsAug 07, 2014
The reasons behind the big diamond finds
I feel as though I’ve written a fair number of “large rough unearthed” stories in recent months, so many, in fact, that I began to wonder: Has this been an unusually active year for finding rough diamonds that are 100 carats or larger?
The two largest, publicized finds to date in 2014 belong to Vancouver-based Lucara Diamond Corp.: a 259-carat piece of rough and a 239-carat piece of rough, both found at the company’s Karowe mine in Botswana.
These two huge finds were part of a larger haul the diamond company removed from Karowe in the second quarter, a bounty that included 13 diamonds larger than 100 carats, eight of which were gem-quality. In addition to these two 200-carat-plus diamonds, the company found two rough diamonds weighing 153 carats each and a 133-carat stone.
The third biggest gem-quality rough find of the year was a very recent one: Gem Diamonds Ltd. discovered a 198-carat “exceptional white” Type IIa rough diamond (pictured above) late last month at its Letšeng mine in Lesotho, a small nation entirely enveloped within South Africa. The rarest type of diamond on earth, Type IIa’s contain no measurable nitrogen or boron impurities, and colorless Type IIa stones are known for their exceptional color and clarity.
The discovery of this 198-carat piece of rough comes in addition to Gem’s unearthing of a 162.06-carat Type IIa diamond and a 161.74-carat Type I stone earlier this year, also at Letšeng.
And, of course, I cannot omit the 122.52-carat piece of blue rough (pictured below) Petra Diamonds Ltd. pulled out of the Cullinan mine in South Africa, a stone that could set a new world record price for a rough diamond when it’s sold.
Given all of these large rough finds, which are sure to yield some exceptional polished diamonds, I asked Martin Potts, research director for mining at London-based financial advisory firm finnCap, if, comparatively speaking, 2014 has been a year in which miners have found an unusually high number of large rough diamonds.
He said “probably yes,” and it is mostly due to the Karowe mine. Fully commissioned by the second quarter of 2012, the mine has proved to be a consistent supplier of large stones, which was not necessarily expected to be the case when the mine was built.
Also contributing to the wealth of big diamonds coming up is the fact that Gem Diamonds is mining in Letšeng’s satellite pipe again, which historically has been the source of most of the mine’s large stones, Potts said.
And, as Russell Shor, a senior industry analyst with the Gemological Institute of America, points out, it is a mine with quite a history.
While the 198-carat diamond is the largest stone to emerge from the mine this year--and actually the largest since 2011, according to Potts--this also is the mine that produced the 603-carat Lesotho Promise, the 15th largest diamond ever found; the 493-carat Letšeng Legacy; a 553-carat diamond in 2011; and a 478-carat diamond in 2008.
“The latest find,” Shor observes, “is not unusual for this particular mine.”
He adds that the Cullinan mine, which produced the 122.52-carat blue stone this year that could shatter the world rough diamond price record, also historically has been a prolific source of significant stones.
It is the source of one-fourth of all diamonds more than 100 carats in size, including the largest rough diamond discovered to date: a 3,106-carat piece of rough aptly named the Cullinan diamond.
“The latest find,” Shor observes, “is not unusual for this particular mine.”
He adds that the Cullinan mine, which produced the 122.52-carat blue stone this year that could shatter the world rough diamond price record, also historically has been a prolific source of significant stones.
It is the source of one-fourth of all diamonds more than 100 carats in size, including the largest rough diamond discovered to date: a 3,106-carat piece of rough aptly named the Cullinan diamond.
More on Editors
The Latest
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday CampaignThe “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersTwo awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
Weekly QuizDec 11, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and EngagementHere are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names 2026 Award RecipientsThe honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
GradingDec 11, 2025
GIA to Offer Origin Determination for 3 More GemstonesStarting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.
IndependentsDec 11, 2025
Look Inside Day’s Jewelers’ Ninth StoreThe 111-year-old retailer celebrated the opening of its new location in Salem, New Hampshire, which is its third store in the state.
MajorsDec 11, 2025
Americas Gold Releases New Gold Chain CatalogThe new catalog features its most popular chains as well as new styles.
AuctionsDec 10, 2025
Francis Ford Coppola’s Watch Sells for $10.8MThe filmmaker’s personal F.P. Journe “FFC” prototype was the star of Phillips’ recent record-setting watch auction in New York.
WatchesDec 10, 2025
There’s A New Rolex Boutique in MiamiThe new location in the Design District pays homage to Miami’s Art Deco heritage and its connection to the ocean.
SurveysDec 10, 2025
Consumer Confidence Drops in November Inflations, tariffs, and politics—including the government shutdown—were among consumers’ top concerns last month.
SourcingDec 10, 2025
NAJA Announces Details for 2026 ‘Ace It’ Winter Conference“Longtime favorite” presenters, as well as first-time speakers, will lead talks and workshops at the annual event in Tucson next year.
Events & AwardsDec 10, 2025
MJSA Names 2025 Responsible Design Challenge WinnerSilas Smith of Meridian Metalworks won the challenge with his pendant that blends Australian and American landscapes.
AuctionsDec 09, 2025
‘Desert Rose’ Diamond Sells for $8.8M in Abu DhabiThe sale of the 31.68-carat, sunset-hued stone was part of Sotheby’s first series of events and auctions in Abu Dhabi.
