The world's most famous large diamonds
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The document summarizes several of the largest diamonds ever discovered, including the Lesedi La Rona (1109 carats), discovered in Botswana in 2015. It also discusses the Cullinan (3106 carats) from South Africa, considered the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found. Additionally, it mentions the Sergio (3167 carats), the largest diamond ever found but composed of carbonado, an obscure diamond variety.
The world's most famous large diamonds
- 1. By Ehud Arye Laniado www.ehudlaniado.com A Tour of the Worlds Largest Diamonds
- 2. DOC ID Presentation by Ehud Arye Laniado 1 The discovery of the second-largest gem-quality diamond ever recovered recently made headlines across media outlets around the world. The 1,109 carat white diamond was discovered at the Karowe mine in Botswana, owned and operated by the Canadian-based Lucara Diamond Corporation. As is customary with most large diamonds, the stone was given a name, which was determined through a public contest open to all citizens of the country. After deliberation, the magnificent stone was named Lesedi La Rona, meaning Our Light in Botswanas Setswana language. A link to the full article can be found on the last slide of the presentation April 2016 The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity. None of the information made available here shall constitute in any manner an offer or invitation or promotion to buy or to sell diamonds. No one should act upon any opinion or information in this website (including with respect to diamonds values) without consulting a professional qualified adviser.
- 3. DOC ID A Tour of the Worlds Most Famous Large Diamonds 2 Just a few months later, Lucapa Diamond Company, a small miner headquartered in Australia, announced the recovery of a 404-carat diamond from its Lulu mine in Angola. This gem is the largest ever found in Angola and the 27th largest diamond ever found. With advanced recovery technology, these finds will likely continue. However, they are still exceptionally rare. In my next series of articles, I will take a closer look at some of these large diamond discoveries throughout history, as well as the beautiful finished gems they have produced. April 2016
- 4. DOC ID A Tour of the Worlds Most Famous Large Diamonds 3April 2016 The Sergio Although the Cullinan diamond is often given credit as the largest rough diamond ever discovered, the truth is that a larger carbonado diamond was found in Brazil in 1895. The original rough stone weighed 3,167 carats. Although a form of diamond, carbonados are extremely rare and resemble charcoal in their rough form. They have been found in just two locations: in the Central African Republic and in Brazil.
- 5. DOC ID A Tour of the Worlds Most Famous Large Diamonds 4April 2016 Scientists are divided on both the origin of carbonados and their proper classification as diamonds. These stones have never been found alongside the other minerals that are typically discovered with diamonds and that are formed in the diamond stability zone within the upper mantle. Some have theorized that carbonados must have an extra-terrestrial source, possibly from fragments of an ancient supernova that rained down upon the earth hundreds of millions of years ago. The theory remains popular, as Brazil and CAR would have sat side by side on the ancient Pangaea supercontinent some 300 million years ago. Although very rare, carbonados are coveted for their use in industrial applications because they are even harder than natural diamonds and are resistant to cleaving. The Sergio, along with many other large carbonados, including one in excess of 2,000 carats, have arguably not been given their proper place in history. For now, we will focus on clear gem-quality diamonds in our discussion.
- 6. DOC ID A Tour of the Worlds Most Famous Large Diamonds 5April 2016 The Cullinan Perhaps the most famous of all gem-quality diamonds is the Cullinan. The Cullinan diamond was found by a miner named Thomas Evan Powell, who brought it to the surface and gave it to Frederick Wells, surface manager of the Premier Diamond Mining Company in Cullinan, South Africa, on 26 January 1905. It weighed 3,106.75 carats, or approximately 621 grams. The stone was immediately named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, the owner of the diamond mine, who had discovered the mine after many years of unsuccessful searching.
- 7. DOC ID A Tour of the Worlds Most Famous Large Diamonds 6April 2016 Lesedi La Rona The history of the 1,109 carat Lesedi La Rona diamond has not yet been written, but the stone has attracted headlines around the world. At present, the stone has not been sold, and owner Lucara Diamond Corporation is said to be looking at various ways in which to sell the diamond. It is possible that this diamond will never be cut, instead being kept in its rough form as the largest rough gem in existence.
- 8. DOC ID A Tour of the Worlds Most Famous Large Diamonds 7April 2016 Excelsior The Excelsior was for 12 years the largest rough diamond ever found, until the Cullinan was discovered 600 kilometers to the north. The Excelsior was unearthed in 1893 at the Jagersfontein mine in South Africa. The 995-carat white stone was found in a shovelful of gravel that was being loaded onto a truck. The worker decided not to present the stone to his line manager, and instead took the stone directly to the mine manager and was rewarded for his discretion with 贈500 and a horse and bridle.
- 9. DOC ID A Tour of the Worlds Most Famous Large Diamonds 8April 2016 Star of Sierra Leone The Star of Sierra Leone was discovered by miners on February 14, 1972 in the Diminco alluvial mines in the Koidu area of Sierra Leone. The gravels of the Woylie River have produced numerous large diamond finds in the more than 70 years of diamond mining in the area. At 968.9 carats (193.78g), the Star of Sierra Leone ranks as the fourth largest gem- quality diamond, and the largest alluvial diamond, ever discovered.
- 10. DOC ID A Tour of the Worlds Most Famous Large Diamonds 9April 2016 Incomparable The Incomparable was found in the town of Mbuji Mayi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) in 1984. The 890-carat amber colored stone was found by a young girl in a pile of rubble from the nearby MIBA Diamond Mine which was considered too coarse to possess any diamonds. The diamond changed hands several times. It passed through the possession of De Beers before being sold to a small syndicate of prominent diamond experts including Donald Zale, chairman of the Zale Corporation, Marvin Samuels of the Premier Gem Corporation, and Louis Glick, a New York diamantaire.
- 11. DOC ID 10 The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity. No one should act upon any opinion or information in this website without consulting a professional qualified adviser. A full version of the article can be found here: http://www.ehudlaniado.com/home/index.php/news/entry/a-tour-of-the-world-s-most- famous-large-diamonds April 2016 A Tour of the Worlds Most Famous Large Diamonds