The rough diamond Louis Vuitton acquired in January 2020 was Sewelô.
Sewelô was discovered in April 2019 at the Karowe mine in Botswana, operated by Lucara Diamond Corp. Weighing 1,758 carats in its rough state, it was the fourth-largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found when announced. Its name means “rare find” in the Setswana language.
Louis Vuitton bought the stone for an undisclosed amount and planned to work with Antwerp diamond manufacturer HB Company to study, cut and polish it. The purchase marked an unusual expansion of the fashion house’s luxury identity into high jewelry and exceptional gemstones.
Sewelô is sometimes confused with the Lesedi La Rona, another exceptionally large Botswana diamond recovered from the same mine. Lesedi La Rona weighed 1,109 carats and was sold to Graff in 2017; it was not the stone acquired by Louis Vuitton.