In an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Lucara Diamond Corporation president and CEO William Lamb revealed that Sotheby’s had been appointed to auction the 1,111-carat Lesedi La Rona rough diamond.
As previously reported by Jeweller, Lucara announced the diamond’s discovery in November 2015. The Canadian-based mining company described the stone, which was found at its Karowe mine in Botswana, as “the world’s second largest gem-quality diamond ever recovered”.
The largest rough diamond to date is the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond discovered in South Africa in 1905, cuts of which have been set in the British Crown Jewels.
Lamb explained the Lesedi La Rona would be sold as a rough due to its historical significance, adding that there could be collectors seeking to own the world’s largest uncut diamond.
He said details surrounding the date and location of the stone’s “road show” would be kept secret as it was “potentially the highest value item on the planet”. However, he did disclose that the live auction would take place in the first half of this year, targeting “ultra-high net worth individuals”.
Lucara has already reportedly received offers of up to US$40 million (AU$52.7 m) for the stone.
In related news, Sotheby’s will offer another auction record-setting diamond at its upcoming Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite sale in Hong Kong.
The De Beers Millennium Jewel 4 is an internally flawless blue stone weighing 10.1 carats. According to the auction house, it is the largest oval fancy vivid blue diamond to go under the hammer.
The stone is part of the De Beers Millennium Jewels collection that was released in 2000. The “rare and valuable” set comprised 12 diamonds – 11 blue stones weighing a total of 118 carats and one 203.04-carat colourless diamond.
The De Beers Millennium Jewel 4 will be the second stone from the collection to be offered at auction; the De Beers Millennium Jewel 11 sold at a Sotheby’s sale in April 2010.
The blue diamond is set in an 18-carat white gold ring flanked by two pear-shaped white stones.
The sale will be held on 5 April, with the stone expected to fetch up to US$35 million (AU$46.1 m).
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