Sourcing

Graff Cut This 302-Carat Diamond from Lesedi La Rona

SourcingApr 10, 2019

Graff Cut This 302-Carat Diamond from Lesedi La Rona

Lesedi La Rona was the 1,109-carat rough diamond discovered in Botswana almost four years ago.

20190410_Graff_header.jpg
This 302.37-carat square-shaped emerald-cut diamond is the biggest of the 67 stones cut by Graff from Lesedi La Rona, the second largest rough diamond ever found.

New York—Graff has unveiled the principal polished diamond cut from Lesedi La Rona, the 1,109-carat chunk of rough discovered in Botswana in 2015.

It is a square emerald-cut stone that weighs 302.37 carats and is the largest diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America as being of highest color, D, and “highest clarity.” A Graff spokeswoman could not confirm the diamond’s exact clarity grade by press time Wednesday.

The stone, which has been named the Graff Lesedi La Rona, also holds the distinction of being the largest square emerald-cut diamond in the world, the company said.

Laurence Graff (no relation to author), who’s become known as the modern-day Harry Winston for handling many of the largest and most spectacular diamonds of the last century, called crafting the Graff Lesedi La Rona “an honor.”

“This diamond, our diamond, is beyond words,” he said.


Laurence Graff, founder of Graff Diamonds International Ltd., holding the 302.37-carat Graff Lesedi La Rona. The diamond took more than 18 months to make, from planning to final polishing.


Workers for Lucara Diamond Corp. found the 1,109-carat rough diamond (originally 1,111 carats before cleaning) at the Karowe mine in November 2015.

A naming contest open to all Botswana citizens was held a few months later and Thembani Moitlhobogi submitted the winning moniker, which means “Our Light” in Tswana, the official language of Botswana.

Lucara put the stone up for auction at Sotheby’s in June 2016 but bidding failed to reach the reserve price of $70 million, so the stone went unsold until Graff stepped forward in September 2017. The company paid $53 million, or about $48,000 per carat, for Lesedi La Rona.

Chipping Away
Before he even purchased the diamond, Graff had some idea how cutting the Lesedi La Rona would go.

In May 2017, the London-based diamantaire bought a 373.72-carat chunk of rough thought to have chipped off Lesedi La Rona, so he knew the stone could result in “sensational” polished diamonds.

Even so, Lesedi La Rona’s size presented a challenge to Graff’s gemologists because they had never analyzed a stone of that size. Lesedi La Rona is the second largest gem-quality rough diamond on record, topped only by the 3,106-carat Cullinan, which was discovered in 1905.

The tennis ball-sized diamond was too big for the company’s existing equipment, so a scanner had to be custom built with brand new imaging software.

Using the
new software, the gemologists mapped the stone’s imperfections to plot which cuts would yield the largest and highest clarity diamonds possible, and received a challenge from their boss that was thought impossible when first examining the stone: find a way to create a 300-carat polished diamond from Lesedi La Rona.

WATCH: The Cutting of Lesedi La Rona
{youtube}3LSHnLj-utw{/youtube}
The analysis continued for months before gemologists moved forward with a plan for cutting and polishing the diamond. Laurence Graff described the task of cutting a diamond of this size as “the riskiest form of art.”

“You can never add and you can never cover up a mistake, you can only take away,” he said. “You have to be careful, and you have to be perfect.”

The initial cutting was done with lasers, while the following shaping and faceting was done by hand. The company said polishing the table facet alone took “hundreds of hours.”

All told, a little more than 18 months elapsed between the time Graff bought the diamond in September 2017 and when his gemologists and craftsmen finished polishing its final facets.


The 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona in its rough state. Though it cannot be proven beyond doubt, GIA researchers strongly believe that the diamond weighed more than 2,700 carats at one point, as it is thought the 812.77-carat “Constellation” along with a 373-carat rough and 296- and 183-carat chunks all broke off this same stone.

Neither the asking price for the Graff Lesedi La Rona nor its current location are being disclosed.

Fragments from the cutting of the stone were donated to the Smithsonian Institute to help its advanced diamond research, as the Lesedi La Rona has been identified by GIA as being a “superdeep” diamond, a stone that, like blue diamonds, formed three times deeper in the earth than other diamonds.

The Graff Lesedi La Rona is one of 67 diamonds cut from the 1,109-carat rough, the first of which were unveiled late last year.
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Bea Bongiasca Animali Tarallo Collection Royal Blue Tang Fish “Dory”
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a Zoo

The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.

Neiman Marcus Downtown Dallas store
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For Now

Parent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.

Jewelers of America logo
Policies & IssuesApr 02, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on Tariffs

The virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

Punchmark
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client Workshop

The educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.

Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Bergman Jewelers family
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 Years

The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

QVC Group Inc. logo
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Coconut Grove Jewelry & Watch Show
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in Florida

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The Jewelry Symposium (TJS)
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor Shortage

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann Collection Bracelets
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry Collection

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Graphic for What Do We Mean When We Say “Recycled” Gold webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Mindi Mond Clarity Earrings
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in Diamonds

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

Lashbrook ring
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With Acquisition

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

Bulgari and LVMH Watches CEO Jean-Christophe Babin
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH Watches

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Surveillance footage of robbery
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry Store

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

LÖF The Valentine Ring
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ Ring

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

Eggs on a shelf
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ Outlook

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

Richard Rainsford memorial ring
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

Austin Butler
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand Ambassador

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

ICA Congress Brazil 2025
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

Bailey’s Fine Jewelry storefront
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent Jeweler

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Bulova 150 Art Deco Miss America Watch, 150 Art Deco Pocket Watch
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco Watches

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New President

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

Jewelers of America’s new logo
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

Christies regent kashmir sapphire and regal Burmese ruby
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat Ruby

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.

Diamond earrings held in gloved hand
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft Recovered

The two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy