MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement PlansHe retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
SourcingMay 05, 2016
1,109-Carat Diamond Expected to Sell for More Than $70M
The tennis ball-sized rough stone, which will be auctioned at Sotheby’s in June, could yield the largest top quality polished diamond in the world.
This is “Lesedi la Rona,” which means “Our Light” in Setswana, one of the official languages of Botswana. The massive rough diamond could sell for more than $70 million and yield the largest high-quality polished diamond in the world. (Photos by Donald Bowers/Getty Images for Sotheby’s)
London--The tennis-ball sized rough diamond unearthed in Botswana in November is going up for auction at Sotheby’s London in June, and it is expected to sell for more than $70 million.
Discovered at Lucara Diamond Corp.’s Karowe Mine, the 1,109.67-carat stone, named “Lesedi la Rona,” or “Our Light,” is the largest rough diamond found since the 3,016.75-carat Cullinan Diamond in 1905. (The diamond was 1,111 carats when first unearthed but lost about 2 carats during the cleaning process, which is normal, a Sotheby’s spokesperson said.)
The Cullinan yielded nine major diamonds, all of which were set in the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom, including the 530.20-carat pear-shaped Great Star of Africa. The Star is the largest “top quality,” meaning high color and clarity, polished diamond in the world. (The world’s largest cut and polished diamond of any color is the 545.67-carat Golden Jubilee, which is a brown stone.)
But the record held by the Star could soon fall.
Sotheby’s said it commissioned independent reports on the potential yield of Lesedi la Rona from the Gem Certification and Assurance Lab (GCAL), the New York-based grading laboratory run by Don Palmieri, and Diamex Inc./Crodiam Consulting DMCC.
While the reports are not being made public at this time, a few details were released on Wednesday, including the fact that experts believe that the Lesedi la Rona could top the Great Star of Africa in size.
The reports also state that there is a “high probability” that the polished diamonds cut from the 1,109-carat rough will be D color.
The Lesedi la Rona will be on view at Sotheby’s New York this coming Saturday, May 7. It will also be on view at the auction house in London between June 18 and 28.
The diamond will be offered for sale on the evening of June 29 at Sotheby’s London in an auction that’s open to the public, marking something else that’s unusual about this once-in-a-lifetime diamond find: that it’s being sold at an auction that’s open to the public, not limited to the trade.
“Every aspect of this auction is unprecedented,” David Bennett, the worldwide chairman of Sotheby’s jewelry division said. “Not only is the rough superlative in size and quality, but no rough remotely
of this scale has ever been offered before at a public auction.”
More on Sourcing
The Latest
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm NecklaceThe charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board MembersThe organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.
Weekly QuizJul 17, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up! Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGovGlobally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.
IndependentsJul 17, 2025
Gina Ferranti of GiGi Ferranti Jewelry Dies at 59The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2025
JA to Hold Learning Workshops This FallA new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.
SurveysJul 16, 2025
Signet Jewelers Falls Lower on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers ListThe middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.
FinancialsJul 16, 2025
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Up 7% in Q1It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.
WatchesJul 16, 2025
The Top-Selling Rolex Models of the Last 15 Years, According to Bob’s Watches The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.
AuctionsJul 16, 2025
Christie’s To Honor Dinh Van With ExhibitionThe auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.
IndependentsJul 16, 2025
Clyde Duneier Ushers In Fourth GenerationJake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Calls Attention to Nature’s ImpermanenceThe “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.
MajorsJul 15, 2025
James Avery Expands to 2 More StatesThe Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2025
Neiman Marcus Vet Joins Couture as Brand Director Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.
MajorsJul 15, 2025
Ben Bridge Jeweler Acquires Olympic ManufacturingIn addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Guzema Debuts First Colored Gemstone JewelryThe “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.
MajorsJul 14, 2025
Nanis Opens First StoreThe seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.
IndependentsJul 14, 2025
It’s the Summer of Love at Long’s JewelersThe New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.
Events & AwardsJul 11, 2025
The Edge’s Annual Conference Returns in SeptemberIts sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.
CollectionsJul 11, 2025
Piece of the Week: Miseno’s ‘Arco’ EarringsFor its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.
Policies & IssuesJul 11, 2025
James Avery to Donate $1M to Texas Hill Country Relief EffortsThe jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.
TrendsJul 11, 2025
Kelly Osbourne’s Engagement Ring Is Sweet as HoneyInspired by fiancé Sid Wilson’s nickname for her, the white and yellow diamond ring features a unique honeycomb design.
