Lesotho Promise sold via secret auction in Antwerp
Antwerp, 9 October 2006. – The Lesotho Promise – the largest uncut diamond excavated this century and the fifteenth largest diamond ever excavated on Earth – changed hands today in Antwerp for the amount of 12,36 million US dollar. The Lesotho Promise weighs 603 carats. The new owner is Safdico.
The sale of a giant diamond such as the Lesotho Promise is not – even in the Antwerp diamond community, considered to be at the absolute top at international level – an everyday affair. As a result none other than Mamphono Khaketla, Minister of Natural Resources of Lesotho, came to Antwerp in person. It was he who today had the honour to officially announce the outcome of the tender competition in the premises of the Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD – Antwerp Diamond High Council), in the presence of myriad representative of the international diamond world and amidst great interest from the press.
The Lesotho Promise was sold via a so-called tender. This is a procedure in which the parties interested can submit bids in a closed envelope. This unique diamond is the largest find of this century given that it is the fifteenth largest diamond ever found on Earth.
The Lesotho Promise is a 603 carat diamond about the size of a hand. The colour of this diamond is very unusual, as it is virtually clear. It is thus categorised in class D, which is the most exceptional colour a diamond can be. The kingdom of Lesotho is famous for its diamond finds. The previous largest find dates back to 1967. At that time a 601 carat diamond was found. It was called the Lesotho Brown because of its colour.
The Lesotho Promise was found on 22 August in the Letseng mine, 30% of which is owned by the government. The mine was closed from 1982 to 2004, after De Beers had closed the mine in the eighties. It is no coincidence that the diamond was put onto the market on 4 October – it is the day that the small kingdom of Lesotho celebrates its independence.
“We are proud that a diamond from Lesotho is making history for the second time," states Minister Mamphono Khaketla.
“That such a unique diamond was sold here proves – inasmuch as is necessary – that Antwerp is still the international diamond capital of the world,” adds Freddy J. Hanard, Managing Director of the HRD.