SourcingJun 22, 2021
1,098-Carat Rough Diamond, Third Largest on Record, Found in Botswana SourcingJun 29, 2021
Nearly 22-Carat Pink Diamond Found at Kao Mine
Dubbed the “Pink Palesa,” the stone will be offered for sale next month in Antwerp.
This rough diamond, the 21.86-carat “Pink Palesa,” was recovered from the Kao Mine in Lesotho. It will be on view, and on sale, in July in Antwerp. (Image courtesy of Bonas Group)
Antwerp—The Kao Mine in Lesotho just yielded another sizable pink diamond.
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.
Related stories will be right here …
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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
Weekly QuizOct 15, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
