Famous diamonds

1967 – The Lesotho Brown Diamond

Discovered in 1967, the 601 carat Lesotho Brown diamond was the first significant diamond to be recovered at Letšeng and led to the formal development of the Letšeng mine.

The Lesotho Brown was discovered by Ernestine Ramaboa who is reputed to have walked for four days and four nights to deliver it into the safekeeping of a reputable diamond buyer. Harry Winston acquired the diamond, and the cleaving of the Lesotho Brown Diamond into two pieces was broadcast live on American television in 1968. The polishing was completed in a year and resulted in eighteen gemstones, the largest of which was the Lesotho I, a 71.73 carat flawless emerald cut diamond with a pale pink hue.

2004 – The Star of Lesotho

The Star of Lesotho was a spectacular white diamond of 123 carats, recovered at Letšeng in October 2004, days before the official re-opening of the mine. Acquired by SAFDICO in November 2004, it was cut into a heart-shaped diamond of 53.11 carats and subsequently sold by Graff Jewellers.

2006 – The Lesotho Promise

Gem Diamonds recovered the 603 carat Lesotho Promise at its Letšeng mine in August 2006.

The Lesotho Promise ranked as the world’s 15th largest rough diamond and the largest diamond to emerge from the Letšeng mine to date. It is the 10th largest rough white diamond ever to be recovered. The Lesotho Promise was sold for US$12.4 million to SAFDICO, the manufacturing arm of Graff Jewellers, at an auction in Antwerp in October 2006.

The Lesotho Promise was subsequently polished into 26 D flawless diamonds, the largest of which was a 76.4 carat pear-shaped diamond. The diamonds were fashioned into a single necklace that is expected to sell for in excess of US$30 million.

2007 – The Letšeng Legacy

The Letšeng Legacy ranks as the 18th largest rough diamond ever recovered and was named to reflect the growing legacy that the Letšeng mine in Lesotho is creating as a producer of significant diamonds.

This remarkable 493 carat diamond, discovered in September 2007, was sold at an auction in Antwerp to SAFDICO, the manufacturing arm of Graff Jewellers, for US$10.4 million in November 2007.

2008 – Leseli la Letšeng

The Leseli La Letšeng, which means Light of Letšeng , is a 478 carat D colour white diamond that was recovered from the Letšeng mine in Lesotho in September 2008. The name reflects the diamonds remarkable colour and clarity, the highest possible quality for a white diamond. The diamond ranks as the 20th largest rough diamond ever to be recovered and was the third significant recovery from Letšeng in as many years. Initial analysis by expert diamantaires indicates that the stone could yield a D colour flawless round brilliant diamond of up to 150 carats, making it the largest diamond of its kind in history.

Light of Letšeng was sold on tender in Antwerp in November 2008 for US$18.4 million, to SAFDICO, the manufacturing arm of Graff Diamonds. The price represented an extraordinary price per carat of US$38 400, against a global average diamond price of US$90 per carat.