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Africa focused miner Lucara Diamond has sold the historic 1,109 carat Lesedi La Rona recovered from the Karowe mine in Botswana in November 2015.
Lucara Diamond said the piece has been sold for US$53 million (US$47,777 per carat) to Graff Diamonds.
“We are thrilled and honoured to become the new custodians of this incredible diamond. 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,” said Laurence Graff of Graff Diamonds.
Meanwhile William Lamb, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lucara Diamond said Lesedi La Rona solidified the amazing potential and rareness of the diamonds recovered at the Karowe mine.
“We took our time to find a buyer who would take the diamond through its next stage of evolution. The price paid is also an improvement on the highest bid received at the Sotheby’s auction in June 2016,” said Lamb.
Graff Diamonds is now the owner of the Lesedi La Rona as well as the 373 carat diamond, purchased earlier this year, which formed part of the original stone.
Lucara is a leading independent producer of large exceptional quality Type IIa diamonds from its 100% owned Karowe Mine in Botswana.
