Botswana Unveils 20ct. Okavango Blue Diamond

RAPAPORT… Okavango Diamond Company (ODC) has revealed a 20-carat
polished stone, the largest blue diamond to come out of Botswana.



The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has graded the oval brilliant-cut, type IIb diamond as fancy deep blue, with VVS2 clarity, ODC
said. 


“From the first moment we saw the diamond, it was clear we
had something very special,” Marcus ter Haar, managing director of ODC, said
Wednesday. “Everyone who has viewed the 20-carat polished diamond has marveled
at its unique coloration, which many see as unlike any blue stone they have
seen before. It is incredibly unusual for a stone of this color and nature to
have come from Botswana — a once-in-a-lifetime find, which is about as rare as a
star in the Milky Way.”


The 20.46-carat stone — cut from a 41.11-carat rough — was recovered
from the Orapa mine, belonging to Debswana, a joint venture between De Beers
and the government of Botswana. ODC, based in Gaborone, has access to 15% of
Debswana’s run-of-mine production.


The Okavango Blue, named after Botswana World Heritage site, the
Okavango Delta, will be showcased over the coming months before going up for
sale at the end of the year.

Image: The blue polished diamond (top) and the original rough (right). (Okavango Diamond Company)