The largest rough diamond in the world, named Lesedi La Rona,
was discovered in Botswana almost a year ago by the Lucana Diamond
Corporation. Lesedi La Rona is the largest diamond to have been
unearthed in 100 years. It was likely formed over three billion
years, through exposure to a combination of extremely high pressure
and temperature in the Earths mantle.
Sotheby’s
The diamonds impressive size measures around the size of a
tennis ball, weighing in at 1,109 carats. The Sothebys Auction
House will put the diamond up for sale at a standalone sale on June
29, 2016, in London. According to Business Insider, the
diamond is predicted to be sold for more than $70 million.
Lesedi La Ronas predecessor, the Cullinan Diamond, was
discovered in 1905 near Pretoria, South Africa. The Cullinan was
later cut into nine polished diamonds, eight of which found
themselves part of the Crown Jewels of Great Britain. Although
Lesedi La Rona weighs less than the Cullinan, new cutting
technology could help recognize the diamonds potential to yield the
new largest cut and polished diamond.
Source: Sotheby’s