The fancy brown color, 71.73 carats Lesotho brown was discovered accidentally on the eroded surface of the kimberlitic pipe of the Letseng mines, Lesotho, in 1967. The exotic diamond was named after its country of origin and color. Unlike other stones, the brown diamonds are used for industrial process and it is also known as "Chocolate Diamonds".

Reason for the brown color :

The diamond is naturally irradiated to high energy particles such as electrons, ions, gamma rays etc, which produces lattice vacancies by ejecting carbon atoms. The irradiated diamond gets heated to 600 degree Celsius during the volcanic eruption, resulting in brown color of the stone. The nickel impurities present inside the stone also significantly contribute to the color of the gem.

Characteristics of the diamond :

It is 71.73 carats, brown color, pear shaped, and internally flawless stone. At the time of discovery, the rough stone was with the massive weight of 601 carats and later cleaved and polished to 18 pieces. The stone is a plastically deformed type II diamond with chemically pure nature and free from nitrogen impurities.

History :

In 1967, the brown diamond was earthed in the mines of Lesotho, a tiny kingdom in South Africa by a woman named Ernestine Ram boa. At the time of discovery, it was weighing 601 carats and known as the largest brown diamond, ever discovered by a woman. The stone was put up for an auction in Maseru; an anonymous South African dealer purchased the diamond and later sold it to Harry Winston, renowned American diamond dealer. Harry Winston cleaved the stone into 18 pieces without any inclusions and carefully polished, in order to retain its shinning. After few hands change, Aristotle Onassis purchased the diamond and gifted to Jacqueline Kennedy as an engagement gift. Another piece of the stone found its way to Sotheby's auction in Geneva and it was acquired by The House of Harry Winston.