A rough diamond weighing 478 carats has been discovered recently at Lesotho’s Leseng mine. It is within the top twenty largest rough diamonds ever found and could set a record as being the largest polished rough diamond, when all is said and done. As a matter of historical record, it won’t be the largest polished and cut diamond, as a different gem already holds that record. However, it’s still a very sizable find that is worthy of the record books.
Other Record Holders
The largest polished and cut diamond record is still with the Koh-I-Noor, a stone that is part of the royal crown jewels of Britain. The Cullinan is known for being the largest rough diamond ever found, weighing in at 3,106 total carats. It was later polished and cut down to 530 carats and named the Great Star of Africa.
How Much Is the New Find Worth?
No one really knows until it is polished and cut. Depending on the quality of the stone and the final weight, it might sell within the tens of millions. Should cutting it fail to produce the gem expected, it could sell for less, however, it will probably be an extraordinarily expensive stone, regardless. Experts believe the stone has exception color and clarity, making this a find of a lifetime, even after it is cut. The hope is that it will yield 150 carats after the final cut and polishing.
A Gem for Someone Special
Obviously a gemstone that big isn’t going into jewelry. Although the diamond company has not decided exactly what it will do with the stone, the consensus appears to be that it will be sold to a private collector. It’s unlikely anyone will want to use this lovely find for rough diamond jewelry. Hopefully, after it is cut, it will be available for public display, at a museum, but more than likely the buyer will take it and put it away for future posterity.