CollectionsJun 29, 2026
Briony Raymond’s New Collection Is a ‘Carousel’ of Hard StonesThe new jewelry collection uses a colorful palette of onyx, malachite, tiger’s eye, mother-of-pearl, lapis, turquoise, and coral.
SourcingJan 18, 2018
Lulo Mine in Angola Yields 43-Carat Yellow Diamond
It’s the largest gem-quality colored diamond recovered from the mine to date.
Lucapa Diamond Co. provided this photo of the 43-carat yellow rough diamond it recently recovered from the Lulo Diamond Project in Angola. It’s the biggest gem-quality colored diamond on record from the mine.
Lucapa, Angola--Lucapa Diamond Co. Ltd. reported Wednesday it recently recovered a 43-carat yellow diamond from the Lulo Diamond Project in Angola.
It is the largest recorded gem-quality colored diamond found at the mine to date, topping the 39-carat pink unearthed in September 2016 by nearly 5 carats.
The yellow stone was recovered from Mining Block 8, which also just yielded a 116-carat diamond that Lucapa said is a boart (non-gem-quality) stone. The diamond was recovered through the XRT large-diamond recovery circuit installed at Lulo in late 2016. (The XRT, or x-ray transmission, sorters are being used by more diamond companies today because they help to prevent large diamonds from getting broken up during processing.)
The 116-carat stone is the tenth 100-carat-plus diamond found at Lulo to date, and the second one within the first three weeks of 2018. Last week, Lucapa reported finding a 103-carat light brown diamond at the mine.
The year has started out on a strong note for smaller diamond mining companies that depend heavily on large, high-value finds to keep their operations funded.
In addition to the 43-carat yellow and the 116-carat boart diamond, Lucapa has found a 103-carat and an 83-carat Type IIa diamond so far this year.
But the biggest find of 2018 to date belongs to Gem Diamonds, which announced this week the recovery of a 910-carat diamond, the fifth largest gem-quality diamond ever found. It came shortly after the mining company unearthed two Type IIa stones weighing more than 100 carats each at the same mine, Letšeng in Lesotho.
Lucapa, in conjunction with its partners Empresa Nacional de Diamantes E.P. (Endiama) and Rosas & Petalas, operates the Lulo Diamond Project in Angola and has a 70 percent stake in the Mothae kimberlite project in Lesotho, which is only about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from Letšeng.
Lucapa said previous trial mining at Mothae showed it to be a source of large, high-value diamonds. It remains on track to begin producing in the second half of 2018.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
IndependentsJun 29, 2026
Look Inside Lee Michaels’ Revamped Mississippi FlagshipLee Michaels Fine Jewelry is celebrating 30 years in the Ridgeland, Mississippi community.
GradingJun 29, 2026
National Rarities Announces New Gemology ManagerSean Milliner has joined the company.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
GradingJun 29, 2026
GIA to Open New London CampusClasses will begin in August at GIA’s new Canary Wharf location.
Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJun 26, 2026
‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Finds a New Home A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
EditorsJun 25, 2026
Out & About: How Jewelers Mutual, SCAD Are Tackling the Bench Jeweler ShortageSenior Editor Lenore Fedow headed to Savannah to learn more about the 10-year, $10 million partnership between JM and the art school.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales OfficerDhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in EthiopiaSSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime DayAs Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnerCole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.
EditorsJun 22, 2026
15 Pieces of Jewelry That Brought Us Joy in Vegas Whether they evoked nostalgia, wonder, or laughter, these jewels put a smile on our faces.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in BaselScheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
WatchesJun 22, 2026
Snoopy Inspires New ‘Flying Ace’ Ball WatchThe beloved beagle dons his aviator outfit for the new Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace timepiece.
AuctionsJun 18, 2026
Paraíba Tourmalines Sell for $3.4M at Sotheby'sThe recent high jewelry auction, which also featured the sale of a 10-carat blue diamond, was “a celebration of color.”
