Biggest diamond in 13 years goes to market

October 4, 2006 4:34pm CST
A 603-carat diamond, the biggest found in 13 years and the 15th largest in the world, went on sale in Antwerp on Wednesday after being uncovered in Lesotho in southern Africa, the owners said. "It's about a third bigger than a golf ball," a spokeswoman for the owners said. It was hard to peg a valuation on the find since that depended on how many cut diamonds could be fashioned from it. A handful of the world's top diamond cutters would be allowed several hours to examine the stone before they submitted bids. The diamond, named the "Lesotho Promise," was found at the Letseng Diamond Mine high in the mountains of Lesotho, a kingdom surrounded by South Africa. The gem is the biggest uncut diamond found since the Millennium Star -- 777 carats large -- was discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1993. Wouldn't mind getting my hands on it myself after it's been cut. Any guesses on how much it'll go for?
4 responses
sameera786
@sameera786 (650)
• South Africa
8 Nov 06
Lesotho Promise - Lesotho Promise. A 603-carat diamond, named the Lesotho Promise after the country in which it was found, was sold last week in Antwerp for $12.36 million. The giant raw diamond will most likely be cut into several smaller diamonds, which will have a collective value of approximately $20 million. The white diamond - the most popular color for a diamond to be - was the 15th largest ever found in the world, and the largest to be discovered this century.
A 603-carat diamond, named the Lesotho Promise after the country in which it was found, was sold last week in Antwerp for $12.36 million. The giant raw diamond will most likely be cut into several smaller diamonds, which will have a collective value of approximately $20 million. The white diamond - the most popular color for a diamond to be - was the 15th largest ever found in the world, and the largest to be discovered this century.
sirensanssmile
@sirensanssmile (3764)
• Netherlands
6 Nov 06
Sparkly - diamond
Nothing says "I love you like a 603 carat diamond ring." heh I have no idea how much it is worth but I can see that there is going to be a prety hefty price tag on that one and everything that comes from it. I am sure that since it is one of the biggest that all jewelry made from this famous diamond will be very much desired.
Lauraleigh99
@Lauraleigh99 (4718)
• United States
14 Oct 06
I can't imagine what that will sell for!! I would love to have it though.
sirensanssmile
@sirensanssmile (3764)
• Netherlands
6 Nov 06
Nothing says "I love you like a 603 carat diamond ring." heh I have no idea how much it is worth but I can see that there is going to be a prety hefty price tag on that one and everything that comes from it. I am sure that since it is one of the biggest that all jewelry made from this famous diamond will be very much desired.