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.
SourcingApr 29, 2019
Botswana’s Karowe Mine Yields Another Huge Stone
It weighs 1,758 carats and is described as being “near-gem of variable quality.”
This 1,758-carat stone just found at the Karowe mine in Botswana weighs close to 352 grams and measures 83 mm x 62 mm x 46 mm. It is approximately as big as a “good-sized pear,” miner Lucara Diamond Corp. said.
Letlhakane, Botswana—Lucara Diamond Corp. announced last Thursday that it found a 1,758-carat piece of rough at the same mine where it recovered the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona.
Discovered over Easter weekend, the huge stone is still being analyzed, but Lucara described it as being “near-gem of variable quality,” meaning it is an industrial diamond with sections that could produce gem-quality stones.
The 1,758-carater is one of largest rough diamonds recovered in recent history, and the second 1,000-carat-plus stone recovered from Karowe since 2015.
The largest known gem-quality diamond in history is the Cullinan, which was found in South Africa in 1905.
There has been a larger stone recovered than the Cullinan—the 3,167-carat carbonado diamond dubbed the “Carbonado do Sergio” discovered in Brazil in 1895. Carbonado diamonds are industrial-quality stones that are opaque and believed to be found only in Brazil and the Central African Republic, Stephen E. Haggerty, a research professor at Florida International University in Miami, wrote in the summer 2017 issue of GIA’s Gems & Gemology.
Discovered over Easter weekend, the huge stone is still being analyzed, but Lucara described it as being “near-gem of variable quality,” meaning it is an industrial diamond with sections that could produce gem-quality stones.
The 1,758-carater is one of largest rough diamonds recovered in recent history, and the second 1,000-carat-plus stone recovered from Karowe since 2015.
The largest known gem-quality diamond in history is the Cullinan, which was found in South Africa in 1905.
There has been a larger stone recovered than the Cullinan—the 3,167-carat carbonado diamond dubbed the “Carbonado do Sergio” discovered in Brazil in 1895. Carbonado diamonds are industrial-quality stones that are opaque and believed to be found only in Brazil and the Central African Republic, Stephen E. Haggerty, a research professor at Florida International University in Miami, wrote in the summer 2017 issue of GIA’s Gems & Gemology.
This photo provided by Lucara Diamond Corp. shows a bit of light coming through the back of the 1,758-carat chunk of rough found at Karowe mine over Easter weekend.
Lucara recovered the huge stone using XRT (X-ray transmission) technology from Tomra Sorting Solutions, which designs and manufactures sorting equipment for the mining, food and recycling industries.
In the past, many large rough diamonds were crushed during recovery because De Beers, the main diamond miner at that time, did not have the technology to detect them and, to an extent, did not care, Gemological Institute of America Senior Analyst Russ Shor wrote in a 2016 research article.
Making money in diamond mining was about speed, he wrote, with the per-carat price differential between large (above 10 carats) and small diamonds not enough to make it worth De Beers’ while to retool its processing.
(De Beers actually was the company that discovered the kimberlite pipe at Karowe in 1969 but never commercially mined the deposit. It sold its final stake in the site to Lucara in 2010.)
RELATED CONTENT: Graff Cut This 302-Carat Diamond from Lesedi La Rona
Today, large diamonds fetch huge sums on the global market so miners are putting time and money into technology that spares them.
Tomra’s XRT is sensor-based bulk sorting that can pick out the diamonds even if they are coated, low-luminescent or Type II, the company says.
Lucara implemented XRT at Karowe in 2015 and, since that time, it said it has recovered 12 diamonds weighing 300 carats or more. Half of those dozen diamonds have been gem quality and sold for a total of more than $158 million.
This includes the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona, which turned up in fall 2015.
Lucara expects to keep finding large, high-quality diamonds at Karowe, noting: “Each deposit has a characteristic size distribution of diamonds … The vast majority of diamond mines have ‘fine’ distributions and host [very] few large/coarse diamonds, regardless of grade. The Karowe mine has a very coarse distribution of large diamonds, up to 5 times the world average.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizJun 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.”
CollectionsJun 18, 2026
Michelle Obama Wears Almasika Earrings Symbolizing Feminine PowerShe wore the “Le Cauri Endiamanté” earrings, our Piece of the Week, in the Obamas’ first dual portrait for the Obama Presidential Center.
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.
PodcastsJun 17, 2026
Episode 6: Las Vegas 2026-Trends, Traffic, Broken BathroomsCouture’s Michelle Orman joins Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff for this special post-Market Week episode of My Next Question.
GradingJun 17, 2026
SSEF Issues Warning on Refilled EmeraldsThe lab is seeing emeralds with filler added post-testing enter the market, accompanied by reports that indicate little to no treatment.
WatchesJun 17, 2026
Patek Philippe’s ‘Visionary’ Leader Philippe Stern Dies at 88 The third generation of the Stern family to head Patek Philippe, he navigated the “quartz crisis” and preserved the brand’s independence.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
James Avery to Revamp In-Store Retail ExperienceThe Texas-based jeweler is gradually rolling out a new experience-forward layout in its stores.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
Seahawks’ Super Bowl Ring Blends Meaningful Design, Technical CraftsmanshipThe Super Bowl LX champions were honored with diamond and blue sapphire rings by Jason of Beverly Hills.
Policies & IssuesJun 17, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Names New Executive DirectorMarianna Smirnova previously spent a decade working with the Responsible Minerals Initiative, in addition to other relevant roles.
MajorsJun 16, 2026
5 Things to Know About the 2026 NBA Championship TrophyThe New York Knicks took home the Larry O'Brien Trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co.
TrendsJun 16, 2026
Post-Vegas Jewelry Trend Report: Big Beads, Western Flair, White MetalsAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco lists the trends she spotted during Jewelry Market Week that will dominate the second half of 2026.
MajorsJun 16, 2026
Sasha Primak Hires New Design DirectorThe manufacturer has tapped Alicia Arnold, the former director of custom design at Tiny Jewel Box.
IndependentsJun 15, 2026
DeBoulle Diamond & Jewelry to Renovate Dallas FlagshipThe revamped, elevated space will feature a two-story Patek Philippe atelier and a rooftop patio for parties.
WatchesJun 15, 2026
G-Shock, Coca-Cola Partner on Bottle-Inspired WatchThe special-edition piece marks the 140th anniversary of the iconic beverage brand.
TrendsJun 15, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Tiny Charms Are TrendingHere are 13 small charms to inspire your layered looks this summer.
AuctionsJun 12, 2026
16th-Century ‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Going Up for Auction in LondonFound by a metal detectorist, the ring likely belonged to a wealthy, possibly royal, owner, said Noonans.
CollectionsJun 12, 2026
Chouette Designs To Launch Collection Celebrating All Types of LoveOur Pride Month Piece of the Week, the “Margaux” ring, is part of the wife-and-wife team’s new “Lovestoned” collection.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2026
CBG Announces Plans for Phoenix ShowThe group has named the keynote speaker and announced a new pavilion for its next event, which is slated for September.
EditorsJun 11, 2026
This Was the Best Animal Jewelry in Las Vegas From lions and hippos to snails and fish, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow wrangles her picks for cutest jewelry critters in Las Vegas.
MajorsJun 11, 2026
Former Cartier Creative Director To Head Chanel’s Jewelry Creation StudioMarie-Laure Cérède will join Chanel as the new director of its jewelry creation studio, starting in October.
Lab-GrownJun 11, 2026
Smiling Rocks’ ‘Wish Jar’ Generates 100+ Wishes in Las Vegas At the JCK show, the lab-grown diamond brand teamed up with Jewelers for Children to support Make-A-Wish India.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Exec Joins Diamonds Do Good BoardIlana McCabe is Signet’s vice president of public relations and brand communications.
