Louis Vuitton has bought the world’s second largest diamond, to be retailed as custom-made jewellery to its patrons.
On April 19, 2019, Canadian company Lucara Diamond Corp. recovered a 1758- carat rough diamond from it’s 100 per cent owned Karowe mine in the Botswana region. It is the second largest diamond to be recovered from the sight, only after the 3106- carat Cullinan diamond discovered in 1905. Named as Sewelô- meaning ‘rare find’ in Setswana language, by the local community of Botswana, the diamond remains unbroken, thanks to Lucara corp’s cutting-edge technology, which avoids crushing the diamond-bearing rock.
The Karowe (meaning precious stone) mine is known for the quality and size of diamonds it produces, specifically, the superlative type IIA diamonds that are chemically pure and have exceptional limpidity, of over 10 carats. Karowe uses the most advanced processing technology in the world, and puts corporate and social responsibilty, sustainability, and the safety and welfare of its workers, at the heart of the business.
Louis Vuitton has collaborated with the Canadian diamond company and HB company of Antwerp, known for their mastery in diamond cutting to make jewellery from this rock. The French luxury brand will be closely involved in the diamond making process right from the initial scanning and planning to the cutting and polishing, which is estimated to take a year’s time. The first step will be to open a window onto the stone, to gain visibility and understand its full potential. The stone that is said to have ‘near-gem qualities’ will be produced as made-to-order Louis Vuitton cut diamonds, in the form of the brand’s emblematic monogram.
