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Graff Diamonds Cuts 1,109-Carat Lesedi La Rona Diamond, Unveils First 60 Stones

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It was just last year, that the London-based jewelry company Graff Diamonds acquired the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona rough diamond that was said to be the most valuable of its kind in the world. The purchase was a $53 milllion deal. It was the intention to cut that rough diamond – the second largest ever discovered -- into a host of smaller diamonds to create a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for discerning customers to own a piece of that rarity and history. Now, Graff unveils the first approximately 60 diamonds cut from that rough and created in scintillating pieces of jewelry.

Graff Diamonds

The cutting of the Lesedi La Rona rough diamond, the largest rough diamond to be found in more than a century, was no small undertaking. It took master diamond cutters and gemologists more than a year of analysis, cutting and polishing before attaining the first 60-plus finished stones. While the main stone is still being worked on, Graff’s master designers took the first cut and polished stones – ranging in size from just under a carat to more than 100 carats each – and have incorporated them into extraordinary jewelry.

Graff Diamonds

Each individual diamond is of D-color (the highest grade for a diamond) and possesses exceptionally clarity. Each is verified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and is laser inscribed with both Graff and Lesedi la Rona as proof of unique origin and as authentication. Each will have its own unique GIA number, as well. The first creations include oval, cushion and other fancy-cut stones that are elegantly set as solitaire rings, earrings and pendants so that each becomes a powerful center stone.

The Lesedi La Rona

Graff Diamonds

The original Lesedi La Rona rough diamonds was acquired in September of 2017 by Laurence Graff of Graff Diamonds from Lucara Diamond Corp., a Canadian mining company. It was originally discovered at the Lucara Karowe mine in north-central Botswana. As soon as Graff acquired the stone, he announced the plan to cut it, stating, “The stone will tell us its story, it will dictate how it wants to be cut, and we will take the utmost care to respect its exceptional properties.”

This was the mantra that the cutters followed in breaking down the huge rough. It was the second largest rough acquisition by Graff last year and followed the purchase of 373-carat rough diamond that had originally been part of the Lesedi La Rona rough, but had been separated.

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