CollectionsJul 09, 2026
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Collection Is an Ode to the Human Touch“Human Being” highlights the similarities and differences between us through five sets of jewelry that celebrate fine craftsmanship.
SourcingApr 29, 2019
Botswana’s Karowe Mine Yields Another Huge Stone
It weighs 1,758 carats and is described as being “near-gem of variable quality.”
This 1,758-carat stone just found at the Karowe mine in Botswana weighs close to 352 grams and measures 83 mm x 62 mm x 46 mm. It is approximately as big as a “good-sized pear,” miner Lucara Diamond Corp. said.
Letlhakane, Botswana—Lucara Diamond Corp. announced last Thursday that it found a 1,758-carat piece of rough at the same mine where it recovered the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona.
Discovered over Easter weekend, the huge stone is still being analyzed, but Lucara described it as being “near-gem of variable quality,” meaning it is an industrial diamond with sections that could produce gem-quality stones.
The 1,758-carater is one of largest rough diamonds recovered in recent history, and the second 1,000-carat-plus stone recovered from Karowe since 2015.
The largest known gem-quality diamond in history is the Cullinan, which was found in South Africa in 1905.
There has been a larger stone recovered than the Cullinan—the 3,167-carat carbonado diamond dubbed the “Carbonado do Sergio” discovered in Brazil in 1895. Carbonado diamonds are industrial-quality stones that are opaque and believed to be found only in Brazil and the Central African Republic, Stephen E. Haggerty, a research professor at Florida International University in Miami, wrote in the summer 2017 issue of GIA’s Gems & Gemology.
Discovered over Easter weekend, the huge stone is still being analyzed, but Lucara described it as being “near-gem of variable quality,” meaning it is an industrial diamond with sections that could produce gem-quality stones.
The 1,758-carater is one of largest rough diamonds recovered in recent history, and the second 1,000-carat-plus stone recovered from Karowe since 2015.
The largest known gem-quality diamond in history is the Cullinan, which was found in South Africa in 1905.
There has been a larger stone recovered than the Cullinan—the 3,167-carat carbonado diamond dubbed the “Carbonado do Sergio” discovered in Brazil in 1895. Carbonado diamonds are industrial-quality stones that are opaque and believed to be found only in Brazil and the Central African Republic, Stephen E. Haggerty, a research professor at Florida International University in Miami, wrote in the summer 2017 issue of GIA’s Gems & Gemology.
This photo provided by Lucara Diamond Corp. shows a bit of light coming through the back of the 1,758-carat chunk of rough found at Karowe mine over Easter weekend.
Lucara recovered the huge stone using XRT (X-ray transmission) technology from Tomra Sorting Solutions, which designs and manufactures sorting equipment for the mining, food and recycling industries.
In the past, many large rough diamonds were crushed during recovery because De Beers, the main diamond miner at that time, did not have the technology to detect them and, to an extent, did not care, Gemological Institute of America Senior Analyst Russ Shor wrote in a 2016 research article.
Making money in diamond mining was about speed, he wrote, with the per-carat price differential between large (above 10 carats) and small diamonds not enough to make it worth De Beers’ while to retool its processing.
(De Beers actually was the company that discovered the kimberlite pipe at Karowe in 1969 but never commercially mined the deposit. It sold its final stake in the site to Lucara in 2010.)
RELATED CONTENT: Graff Cut This 302-Carat Diamond from Lesedi La Rona
Today, large diamonds fetch huge sums on the global market so miners are putting time and money into technology that spares them.
Tomra’s XRT is sensor-based bulk sorting that can pick out the diamonds even if they are coated, low-luminescent or Type II, the company says.
Lucara implemented XRT at Karowe in 2015 and, since that time, it said it has recovered 12 diamonds weighing 300 carats or more. Half of those dozen diamonds have been gem quality and sold for a total of more than $158 million.
This includes the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona, which turned up in fall 2015.
Lucara expects to keep finding large, high-quality diamonds at Karowe, noting: “Each deposit has a characteristic size distribution of diamonds … The vast majority of diamond mines have ‘fine’ distributions and host [very] few large/coarse diamonds, regardless of grade. The Karowe mine has a very coarse distribution of large diamonds, up to 5 times the world average.”
More on Sourcing
The Latest
WatchesJul 09, 2026
Damiani Group Finalizes Acquisition of Baume & MercierRichemont will continue to provide operational services for the watch brand for a period while the group prepares to integrate it.
AuctionsJul 09, 2026
Pharrell Williams’ Joopiter Hires Former Bonhams Exec to Head New Watch DivisionNate Borgelt will lead the digital auction house and content platform’s new division as head of watches.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
Halstead Names 2026 Grant WinnerEnoch Platero, founder and designer behind Enoch Michael, is the first Native American jeweler to win the award.
Weekly QuizJul 09, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
AGS, GIA Name 2026 Beatrice Shipley Scholarship WinnerAGS also announced the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
MajorsJul 08, 2026
Kendra Scott Joins ‘Shark Tank’ As Permanent Investor The founder of the billion-dollar jewelry and lifestyle brand will debut as a full-time “Shark” on the upcoming season of the show.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
SurveysJul 08, 2026
Signet Jewelers Falls 5 Spots on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers ListPlus, why retailers should be ready to adjust as the U.S. population may decline this year for the first time since the Great Depression.
CrimeJul 08, 2026
Here’s What Thieves Stole From the Lalique Museum René Lalique’s “Woman Dragonfly With Open Wings” pendant, the first piece the museum acquired, was one of the jewels taken.
MajorsJul 08, 2026
Richline Group Promotes 2 ExecsArien Gessner and Moss Makhoulian have been elevated into newly created roles.
ColumnistsJul 07, 2026
Peter Smith: Diamond Branding and the Origin ParadoxA podcast prompted Smith to share his views on where origin fits into the natural diamond story and the viability of branded diamonds.
Events & AwardsJul 07, 2026
JA Announces 2026 Impact Initiative RecipientsThe association selected eight recipients for the funding program, which is in its second year.
TrendsJul 07, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ruby, White and Blue Whether celebrating America’s 250th birthday or the USA’s World Cup run, July birthstone jewelry can double as a patriotic accessory.
CrimeJul 07, 2026
Thieves Steal Millions in Jewels From France’s Musée LaliqueAround 20 pieces of jewelry were stolen from the museum dedicated to French jeweler and glassmaker René Lalique.
CollectionsJul 07, 2026
Robinson Pelham Is Partying Like It’s 1996The “Summer of ’96” campaign and collection celebrate the year the brand was founded for its 30th anniversary.
IndependentsJul 06, 2026
Bachendorf’s To Open Fifth Store In DallasThe new location is set to open this winter, featuring the retailer’s first rotating jewelry designer residency.
MajorsJul 06, 2026
Graff Names BTS Star Jung Kook as New AmbassadorThe pop artist appears in the latest campaign for the “Laurence Graff Signature” collection.
CollectionsJul 06, 2026
Pandora’s New Baroque Pearl Collection Is a Whimsical ‘Wonder’One-of-a-kind pearls take the shape of ice cream cones, frogs, submarines, and other imaginative charms.
Supplier BulletinJul 02, 2026
Elevating Retail Showcases with Today's Necklace & Bracelet TrendsSponsored by Rio Grande Jewelry Supply
TrendsJul 02, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Flag Brooch Celebrates AmericaThe American jewelry house, founded by Latvian immigrants, has been creating American flag brooches since 1917.
IndependentsJul 02, 2026
D. Geller & Son Partners with KSU Art Students on Store MuralThe artwork celebrates the Atlanta jeweler’s legacy and symbolizes its commitment to supporting local artists and its community.
Events & AwardsJul 02, 2026
Stratus Estate Buyers Offers Jewelers Turnkey Buying EventsIts team can evaluate jewelry and watches, as well as luxury handbags, artwork, and collectibles.
SurveysJul 01, 2026
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in JuneFalling oil prices were a factor in the slight month-over-month improvement.
CollectionsJul 01, 2026
Rio Grande Launches First Finished Bridal CollectionThe new offering comprises more than 120 bridal and engagement ring styles with natural and lab-grown diamonds.
WatchesJul 01, 2026
Rolex Unveils Clock at Rockefeller CenterThe clock is part of the celebration for the soon-to-open Rolex headquarters on New York City’s Fifth Avenue.
IndependentsJul 01, 2026
Kristen Cannon of Valobra Master Jewelers Dies at 49The public relations professional is remembered for her benevolent generosity and unwavering commitment to those around her.
