Graff, a British jewellery firm, has cut and polished the majority of the 20 largest diamonds discovered in this century. This time on, Graff presents the Graff Lesedi La Rona, the largest square emerald-cut diamond in the world, weighing 302.37 carats, displaying the best D colour and highest clarity. It is the largest highest colour, highest clarity diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
The Graff Lesedi La Rona was cut from a 1,109-carat rough diamond discovered at the Lucara Karowe mine in 2015 in Botswana. It was the largest gem quality rough diamond discovered in over 100 years and the second largest ever found. From discovery to completion, the process of analysis, cutting and polishing of the rough diamond took Graff over 18 months requiring the expertise of the world’s elite diamond craftsmen. Moreover, 66 additional ‘satellite’ stones were polished from the rough diamond, ranging in size from under a carat to in excess of 26 carats. Each diamond has been laser-inscribed with its unique Gemological Institute of America (GIA) number,
Graff and Lesedi La Rona, and accompanied by a certificate from Graff and the GIA.
Founder Laurence Graff says, “My love affair with diamonds is lifelong and crafting the Graff Lesedi La Rona has been an honour. This diamond, our diamond, is beyond words.”
The record-breaking stone was given the name Lesedi La Rona, which means “Our Light” in Tswana, the official language of Botswana.
Photograph By Ben Hassett & Donald Woodrow