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A model holding the 302.37-carat Graff Lesedi La Rona, the largest square emerald-cut diamond in the world, with bottles of Lesedi La Rona perfume in the background. 

THE SWEET SMELL OF THE LESEDI LA RONA

 

During these days of pandemic and social distancing, a lighter but a more uplifting story is sorely needed, and especially one that is sweet, or to be more precise sweet smelling.

Well then how about a perfume celebrating one the world’s most celebrated polished diamonds. 

British jeweler Lawrence Graff has announced the launch of a collection of six fragrances, named for the 302.37-carat Lesedi La Rona diamond. It is the renowned diamond jewelry company’s first foray into the perfume sector in its six-decade history.

“We wanted the fragrances to echo our values at Graff by using only the most exceptional ingredients in perfumery, with the same care given to the composition of the fragrances as the cutting and polishing of the diamond itself,” said Graff, as quoted by the New York Times.

“We wanted the fragrances to echo our values at Graff by using only the most exceptional ingredients in perfumery, with the same care given to the composition of the fragrances as the cutting and polishing of the diamond itself,” he added.

SECOND LARGEST ROUGH DIAMOND EVER DISCOVERED

The 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona rough diamond was discovered at the Karowe mine in Botswana, and it was considered the largest gem quality rough specimen discovered in more than 100 years and was the second largest diamond ever found in recorded history.  

Graff Diamonds paid $53 million for the rough diamond in 2017, which is equal to about $47,777 per carat.

After 18 months of planning, cutting and polishing, Graff unveiled the 302.37-carat Graff Lesedi La Rona, which the firm has described the largest square emerald-cut diamond in the world, and the biggest high-color, high-clarity diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). 

In total, about 67 polished diamonds from the tennis ball-sized rough stone. Among them an 11.12-carat D-flawless oval-cut stone and a 6.06-carat D flawless cushion cut gem. 



The first three fragrances in Graff’s Lesedi La Rona perfume series.

The 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona, the second largest rough diamond ever found in recorded history.

GIFTS OF THE EARTH

The Lesedi La Rona perfume took two years to produce. During the process, more than 175 scents were proposed, explained Walter Johnsen, who collaborated with the diamond company. It was not his first jewelry company project, having worked earlier with Van Cleef and Arpels, Boucheron, and Coach.

 “Diamonds, like the very best perfumes, are totally unique,” Mr. Johnsen said, speaking to the New York Times. “Both are the result of an elemental process — ultimately they are both gifts of the earth.”

“I focused on the emotions they both create when given and received,” he added. “They are profoundly positive, they give happiness, they become a signature, they celebrate a pivotal time in life.”

Each of the six fragrances is labeled with the Lesedi La Rona name and a Roman numeral, from one to six. They are packaged in crystal bottles that inspired by the 302.37-carat Graff Each 100-milliliter bottle is priced at 270 pounds sterling ($343), and is being sold on the website of Harrods, Britain’s upscale department store. Two more fragrances in the series are currently being worked upon and will introduced to the market next March.

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