The “Lesedi la Rona”. At 1109-carats, the largest gem-quality rough diamond to be discovered in over a century and the largest rough diamond in existence today. Estimated in excess of $70 million. Credit: Donald Bowers/Getty Images for Sotheby's.

LONDON.- Sotheby’s announced that it will auction the 1109-carat “Lesedi la Rona” – the largest gem-quality rough diamond to be discovered in over a century and the largest rough diamond in existence today – in a stand-alone sale in London on 29 June 2016. 

Estimated to achieve in excess of $70 million*, the Lesedi la Rona (“Our Light” in the Tswana language spoken in Botswana) was uncovered by Lucara Diamond Corp. in November 2015, at their Karowe mine in Botswana. Around the size of a tennis ball (measuring approximately 66.4 x 55 x 42 mm), this colossal rough diamond of exceptional transparency and quality is around 2.5 to over 3 billion years old.

The “Lesedi la Rona”. At 1109-carats, the largest gem-quality rough diamond to be discovered in over a century and the largest rough diamond in existence today. Estimated in excess of $70 million. Credit: Donald Bowers/Getty Images for Sotheby's

Diamonds have been mined continuously for centuries in multiple locations around the world and yet nothing of the size and quality of Lesedi La Rona has been found in over 100 years. In terms of its size, the rough is exceeded only by the legendary Cullinan Diamond, mined in South Africa in 1905. The 3016.75-carat Cullinan Diamond produced nine major diamonds that are part of the historic Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom, including the Great Star of Africa – currently the largest top-quality polished diamond in existence, weighing 530.20 carats. 

According to a study by the Gemological Institute of America, the Lesedi La Rona’s “top colour and transparency exemplify the “limpid” appearance commonly associated with type IIa diamonds” – a rare and coveted subgroup which comprises less than 2% of all gem diamonds. Stones in this group are “the most chemically pure and often show extraordinary optical transparency". 

The “Lesedi la Rona”. At 1109-carats, the largest gem-quality rough diamond to be discovered in over a century and the largest rough diamond in existence today. Estimated in excess of $70 million. Credit: Donald Bowers/Getty Images for Sotheby's

Independent reports on the potential yield of the rough have also stated that the Lesedi la Rona may have the potential to yield the largest top-quality diamond that has ever been cut and polished**. These reports have also stated that there is a high probability that the resulting polished diamonds will be “D” colour – the highest colour classification for white diamonds. 

David Bennett, Worldwide Chairman of Sotheby’s Jewellery Division, commented: “The Lesedi la Rona is simply outstanding and its discovery is the find of a lifetime. It is a huge honour for Sotheby’s to have been entrusted with its sale. Every aspect of this auction is unprecedented. Not only is the rough superlative in size and quality, but no rough even remotely of this scale has ever been offered before at public auction”.  

The “Lesedi la Rona”. At 1109-carats, the largest gem-quality rough diamond to be discovered in over a century and the largest rough diamond in existence today. Estimated in excess of $70 million. Credit: Donald Bowers/Getty Images for Sotheby's

William Lamb, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lucara Diamond Corp., said: “We are very excited to be partnering with Sotheby’s on this landmark auction. Lucara has made innovation the cornerstone of its development strategy and this has led to the historic recovery of the Lesedi La Rona diamond. The forthcoming sale presents a unique opportunity to present this extraordinary diamond to a worldwide audience.” 

The Lesedi la Rona will be on view at Sotheby’s New York on 7 May, and at Sotheby’s London from 18 until 28 June, ahead of its auction in the evening of 29 June

The “Lesedi la Rona”. At 1109-carats, the largest gem-quality rough diamond to be discovered in over a century and the largest rough diamond in existence today. Estimated in excess of $70 million. Credit: Donald Bowers/Getty Images for Sotheby's

Londres – Sotheby’s a l’honneur d’annoncer qu’il proposera aux enchères le “Lesedi la Rona” pesant 1109 carats – le plus grand diamant brut de qualité gemme découvert depuis plus d’un siècle et le plus grand diamant existant aujourd’hui -  et l’unique lot de la vente (stand alone auction) du 29 juin 2016 à Londres.

Estimé à plus de 70 millions de $, le Lesedi la Rona (« Our Light » en Tswana, langue du Botswana) a été découvert par Lucara Diamond Corporation en novembre 2015 dans leur mine de Karowe au Botswana. Ayant approximativement la taille d’une balle de tennis (66.4 x 55 x 42 mm), ce colossal diamant brut d’une transparence et d’une qualité exceptionnelle date d’environ 2,5 à 3 milliards d’années.

 David Bennett, Président mondial du département International Haute Joaillerie chez Sotheby’s, a commenté: “Le Lesedi la Rona” est tout simplement remarquable et sa découverte est la trouvaille d’une vie. C’est un grand honneur pour Sotheby’s de se voir confier la vente d’un tel objet. Tous les aspects de cette future vente sont sans précédent. La pierre se distingue avant tout par sa taille et sa qualité rarissime, et qui plus est, aucune pierre brute de cette taille n’a jamais été proposée aux enchères publiques.

Le diamant Lesedi la Rona sera exposé à Sotheby’s New York le 7 mai, et à Sotheby’s Londres du 18 au 28 juin, avant d’être proposé à la vente le 29 juin au soir.

The “Lesedi la Rona”. At 1109-carats, the largest gem-quality rough diamond to be discovered in over a century and the largest rough diamond in existence today. Estimated in excess of $70 million. Credit: Donald Bowers/Getty Images for Sotheby's

 The “Lesedi la Rona”. At 1109-carats, the largest gem-quality rough diamond to be discovered in over a century and the largest rough diamond in existence today. Estimated in excess of $70 million. Credit: Donald Bowers/Getty Images for Sotheby's