The Sethunya diamond

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On 5th November 2020, Louis Vuitton announced the discovery of Sethunya, an exceptional white diamond rough. 549 carats of superlative quality.

Less than a year after the discovery of an extraordinary diamond, the Sewelô, Louis Vuitton announces a second collaboration with Lucara Diamonds Corp. (mining in Karowe, Botswana) and HB Antwerp.

So the discovery of the Sethunya rough happened after eight months (last 1 February) in Motswana. After the routine examinations, the rough resulted being a magnificent gem of 549 carats, of exceptional clarity, colour and light.

The rough has an estimated age of 1-2 billion years. It was mined in the same southern unit property of Lucara. This mine produced treasures including the Lesedi la Rona (1,109 carats) and the Sewelô (1758 carats).

The name ‘Sethunya’ means ‘flower’ in the Setswanan language – a subtle reference to Louis Vuitton’s monogram.

Today, by collaborating once again with HB Antwerp, the French luxury Maison continues its journey in the high jewellery world. The mission is to offer its clients the highest in jewellery quality.

In line with this, Louis Vuitton will cut and offer ‘made-to-measure’ diamonds to its clients. This is set to be the ultimate in jewellery experience: a totally personalised jewel that will become a family heirloom.

This experience starts as a journey: a voyage of creativity and of the diamond itself. Louis Vuitton traces and follows the gem’s path from the centre of the Earth. This guarantees the provenance for each of the single diamonds that will be cut out of the rough.

HB Antwerp will contribute to the diamonds’ tracing through its technology – from the mine in Karowe through the cutters in Antwerp to Louis Vuitton’s master jewellers in Paris.

People in Botswana do benefit from the discovery, business collaborations and revenues linked to the diamond industry. And Louis Vuitton has an active role in this, seeking quality, integrity and transparency – features that make the brand known and appreciated worldwide.