Graff unveils the world’s largest square emerald cut diamond at 302.37ct!
In 2017, Graff Diamonds purchased the Lesedi La Rona rough diamond for nearly £40 million at private auction. 18 months later and they have unveiled the largest stone to be cut from it at 302.37ct; the Graff Lesedi La Rona. This newly polished gem is the largest square emerald cut diamond in the world, and according to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is the “largest, highest clarity, highest colour diamond ever graded“.
Laurence Graff with the Graff Lesedi La Rona (Graff)
The rough diamond was originally mined in Botswana and was the second largest diamond ever found at 1,109 carat. Lesedi La Rona translates as ‘Our Light’ from Tswana, the main language of Botswana.
Speaking on its unveiling, Graff founder, Laurence Graff said “This diamond, our diamond, is beyond words.”
Whilst we’re yet to know the clarity of this once in a lifetime gem, the colour is the highest grading possible – a D. Graff added “the Graff Lesedi La Rona is an exceptional diamond with an exceptional cut and exceptional proportions, earning its place in history as the largest and finest of its kind in the world.”
A further 66 “satellite” diamonds were polished from the same rough. They range from under 1 carat to more than 26 carats. Each diamond is inscribed with the words “Graff” and “Lesedi La Rona,” as well as the GIA report number.
“My love affair with diamonds is life-long and crafting the Graff Lesedi La Rona has been an honour. We had an immense duty to cut the very, very best diamond imaginable from this rough. All our expertise, skill and accomplishment went into crafting this incredible diamond masterpiece, which is extraordinary in every way.” – Laurence Graff