Nearly 22-Carat Pink Diamond Found at Kao Mine
Dubbed the “Pink Palesa,” the stone will be offered for sale next month in Antwerp.

Workers at the diamond mine recovered a “beautiful” 21.86-carat pink diamond on May 18 that’s been dubbed the “Pink Palesa.” Palesa is derived from the local Sesotho word for flower.
Namakwa Diamonds and Storm Mountain Diamonds announced the recovery of, and sale process for, the diamond last week.
Namakwa, which owns the mine in partnership with the government of Lesotho and operates it through Storm Mountain, said the stone will make its way to Antwerp to be part of Kao’s next sale.
The mining company is conducting the sale, Kao-2104, in conjunction with Bonas Group.
Viewings of the diamond will take place in Antwerp from July 12-23, with bidding happening online at KaoBids.com and closing on July 23 at 15:00 CET (9 a.m. EDT).
As is typical for Bonas Group, the company is not sharing any pre-sale estimates for the stone.
The Kao Mine is located in the Butha Buthe District in northern Lesotho.
Over the years, it has produced a number of significant pink diamonds, including the “Lesotho Pink Storm,” which was recovered in December 2013 and sold for about $426,000 a carat ($15.4 million total), and the 29.59-carat “Rose of Kao,” which Taché Company and Samir Gems bought in January 2019 for an undisclosed amount.
Earlier this year, Bonas Group hosted a Kao sale that included another large pink diamond, the 25.97-carat “Pink Dawn.” The stone found a buyer, though Bonas Group declined to disclose the sale price.
The Latest

The stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.

Engagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.

Former Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

The veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.


Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).

The labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.

This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.

The employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.

The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.

The package, intercepted in Indianapolis, contained fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry.

The new location in Costa Mesa, California, marks the brand’s second store in the United States and fourth standalone location worldwide.

The fashion watch category was once threatened by the Apple Watch, but consumers are now opting for new wearables, said Movado’s CEO.

The report delves into trending styles, the most popular jewelry brands by city, and why Belle Époque jewelry could be the next big thing.

The association added the requirement to its revised "Code of Ethics" and released the 17th edition of its “Gemstone Information Manual.”

Respondents were concerned about the future of the labor market and their income as well as the rising prices of gas and groceries.

The campaign highlights the asymmetrical high jewelry necklace style that the jeweler first created in 1879.

It will explore the life of “The King of Diamonds” and showcase more than 165 creations from the brand.

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the complex phone scam.

In her first column for National Jeweler, Jennifer Shaheen asks jewelers if they know how to connect with the next generation of consumers.

The annual awards cover tuition for an on-site educational course at the Swiss lab, as well as flights and lodging.

The jeweler partnered with the Tennessee resort to honor its 50th anniversary with limited-edition blackberry pendants and earrings.

The third-generation jeweler shared how the North Carolina retailer is celebrating this milestone and the love story that started it all.

The class, led by renowned metalsmith Cynthia Eid, highlighted Argentium silver as an alternative to gold amid high prices.
























