Thu, Sep 28, 2017
A colossal diamond the size of a tennis ball has been sold for $53 million in a private sale to Graff Diamonds of the UK, after failing to sell at a Sotheby’s auction last year.
The seller, Canada's Lucara Diamond Corporation, had recovered the diamond from a mine in Botswana in November 2015 and had hoped to get at least $70 million for the stone at the auction in June last year, but bids did not exceed $61 million.
The 1,109-carat diamond was named Lesedi La Rona, which means "Our Light" in Botswana's Tswana language.
The Lesedi la Rona is said to be the largest rough diamond to be discovered in over a century and the largest rough diamond in existence.
In terms of its size, the rough is exceeded only by the Cullinan Diamond, mined in South Africa in 1905.
The 3016.75-carat Cullinan Diamond produced nine major diamonds that are part of the historic Crown Jewels of the UK, including the Great Star of Africa – currently the largest top- quality polished diamond in existence, weighing 530.20 carats.
The sale of Lesedi La Rona was announced by Lucara earlier this week.
-
Whopping $853m art sale sets a new world record
Thu, Nov 13, 2014 -
Rare Egyptian works included in modern art sale
Tue, Nov 11, 2014 -
Abu Dhabi sheds light on Guggenheim collection
Thu, Nov 6, 2014 -
Rare, blood red ruby expected to fetch $9m
Sat, Nov 1, 2014 -
Collectibles ‘can outperform mainstream assets’
Tue, Oct 28, 2014 -
$3.4m price tag set for rare Ferrari
Sun, Oct 26, 2014 -
Dubai watches sales clocks up new record
Thu, Oct 23, 2014 -
Million reasons to own rare Bentley
Wed, Oct 22, 2014 -
Christie’s sells $12.5m modern art in Dubai
Wed, Oct 22, 2014 -
‘Diaspora’ exhibit is mesmerising and powerful
Wed, Oct 22, 2014 -
Famous watch expected to fetch $16m
Mon, Oct 20, 2014 -
‘Greatest’ motorcycle up for grabs
Tue, Oct 21, 2014 -
Da Vinci painting brought to life at Abu Dhabi seminar
Thu, Oct 16, 2014 -
Doha auction of contemporary art nets $8m
Tue, Oct 14, 2014 -
Mansell Ferrari takes pole position at sale
Tue, Oct 14, 2014