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LABORATORY-GROWN DIAMONDS

A night-time view of the Lucara’s Kurowe mine in Botswana, where in recent years several of the most spectacular diamond finds have occurred. One of these was the discovery of the 813-carat Constellation diamond in 2015.

GIA CALLS 313-CARAT DIAMOND POLISHED IN DUBAI THE LARGEST D-COLOR FLAWLESS IT HAS EVER GRADED

 

A Dubai-based diamond company called Nemesis International has presented to the market a 313-carat polished diamond that it says is the largest D-color diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

The diamond was cut from the 813-carat Constellation rough diamond, which was mined in November 2015 at the Karowe mine in Botswana by the Lucara Diamond Corporation. 

Measuring more than six centimeters in diameter, the Constellation was bought by Nemesis in 2016 for $63.1 million, in a competitive bidding process. The Dubai-based firm completed the purchase in partnership with De Grisogono, a high-end Swiss jewelry company. 

At $77,613 per carat, it was said at the time to be the most expensive rough diamond ever sold.

POLISHED DIAMOND CUT IN THE UAE

Unusually, the 313-carat diamond was cut mainly in the United Arab Emirates, by Almas Diamond Services, a sister company of Nemesis. 

“We are keen to build a legacy for these diamonds, in recognition of the emergence of the diamond industry in the UAE on the world stage,” said Konema Mwenenge, CEO of Nemesis International. “This incredible achievement is initiated by craftsmanship and leadership inspired by a ‘new industry, in the region. Our intention is to show the geological importance, the technology and craftsmanship involved.”

Established about two years ago with an initial investment of investment of $1.8 million, Almas says it focuses exclusively on diamonds with an asking price of more than $25,000 per carat.

The diamond took about 18 months to polish, with master cutters brought in from Antwerp to work at the factory. It was the largest of eight stones produced from the Constellation diamonds.

It was a nonetheless an international operation, with the stone having initially being sent to Israel for laser cutting.

 

SOME OF THE INDUSTRY’S LARGEST DIAMOND FINDS

In its only seven years of operation the Kurowe mine has produced some of the most spectacular finds in the history of the diamond industry. Beginning commercial operations in 2012, just this past this year it has yielded 22 diamonds larger than 100 carats, with eight of them exceeding 200 carats in weight.

The 813-carat Constellation rough diamond, which broke records when it was sold for $77,613 per carat.

The 313-carat D-color diamond, which is the largest of the eight stones produced from the Constellation rough diamond. 

In addition to the Constellation, it has produced the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona. It also was the site it which was found the 1,758-carat Sewelo, which means “rare find” in the local Tswana language, which is the largest rough diamond ever recovered in Botswana.

The kimberlite pipe above which the Kurowe mine stands was discovered by De Beers in 1969, which at the time believed it to be small and low grade. It was reassessed in 2003, when studies showed that the kimberlite was larger and of higher grade than previously estimated. 

A 15-year license was granted to De Beers 2008, which it sold in 2009 to a subsidiary of the Canada-based Lucara.

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