The sale of the 549-carat Sethunya diamond and the 1,080-carat Eva Star diamond from Lucara's Karowe mine in Botswana was one of the most significant diamond sales in recent history, the miner said.

Lucara sold the stones for a combined sum of US$54 million, and final payment for and delivery of the historic diamonds were recently concluded.

“The sale of these two extraordinary diamonds further validates our investment in the Karowe underground project,” said William Lamb, president and CEO of Lucara. 

The US$54-million transaction could be considered among the most lucrative diamond sales in recent history, noted Lucara. Of the amount, the miner recognised US$44 million in revenue net of fees, excluding royalties. It received US$20 million previously and following this sale, a further US$24 million was due.

According to Lucara, the sale also demonstrated continued strong demand for rare stones in the luxury market. 

The Sethunya, recovered in 2021, and the Eva Star, discovered in 2023, showcase the notable quality and size of diamonds steadily produced from the South Lobe of the Karowe kimberlite. 

“The unique characteristics of Karowe's kimberlite, particularly in the South Lobe, continue to amaze us. The mineralogy is truly unprecedented in the industry, consistently delivering Type IIA diamonds of remarkable clarity and size,” noted Lamb.