Gem Diamonds Finds 18th
Largest Rough Diamond in the World

The 18^th Largest Rough Diamond in The World

Just when you thought they couldn’t top themselves, Gem Diamonds in partnership with the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho, has announced the recovery of a historic diamond from the Letsing Mine in Lesotho. Subsequent to its recovery, the diamond was transferred to Antwerp where it underwent a thorough examination and analysis.

Before we talk about the 18^th largest rough diamond in the world, we should remind you that back in August of 2006, it was Gem Diamonds and the Lesotho Government that found the world's 15th-largest rough diamond in the Letsing mine. They called that diamond the ‘Lesotho Promise,’ says, Lesotho's Natural Resources Minister Mamphono Khaketla because, “… we promise you more of the same and better in the future."

True to his word, finding the world’s 18^th largest rough diamond surely makes Gem Diamonds and their partnership with the Lesotho Government one of the most remarkable partnerships in diamond history. When you stop to think about it, Lesotho is a mere insignificant dot on the map, but deep beneath its uninviting plateau, nature has endowed Lesotho with some of the most famous and brilliant diamonds in the world. The grand scale and rich history of the African enclave's mines became crystal clear, after the discovery of the world’s 18^th largest rough diamond.

The 18^th Largest Rough Diamond in The World Doesn’t Have a Name Yet

The diamond, which is yet to be named, ranks as the 18th largest rough diamond ever to be recovered. It is the 3rd significant recovery from the Letsing mine in as many years, following the 603 carat Lesotho Promise and the 493-carat Letsing Legacy recovered in 2006 and 2007 respectively. 

Take a look at the numbers; include the 601-carat Lesotho Brown, recovered in 1960, the Letsing mine has now produced four of the world’s 20 largest rough diamonds and the three largest diamonds recovered this century. How would you like to be the CEO, CFO or majority stockholder in Gem Diamonds about right now?

The Particulars on the 18^th Largest Rough Diamond In The World

• The unnamed diamond weighs in at an impressive 478-carats.
• It is determined to be a type II color diamond, which is the highest color grading available for a white diamond.
• The diamond is of outstanding clarity with no inclusions visible in its rough form.
• It has the potential to yield one of the largest flawless D color round polished diamonds in history. 

Clifford Elphick, CEO of Gem Diamonds, stated, "Preliminary examination of this remarkable diamond indicates that it will yield a record breaking polished stone of the very best color and clarity…”