A dazzling flawless diamond with a name rich in Asian symbolism made its debut on the global stage this past Thursday, just ahead of its highly anticipated auction appearance.
Unveiled in London, the “Jwaneng 28.88” is a 28.88-carat, D-color, internally flawless round brilliant diamond expected to fetch as much as $2.8 million when it crosses the block at Sotheby's High Jewelry sale in Hong Kong on April 23.
Beyond its exceptional gemological credentials, the diamond’s name — and even its estimate — carries special meaning: In many Asian cultures, the number eight is associated with prosperity, abundance and good fortune, making “28.88” an especially auspicious figure.
The stone’s journey began deep beneath the sands of Botswana at the famed Jwaneng Mine, widely known as the richest diamond mine in the world by value. Operated by Debswana — a 50/50 partnership between De Beers and the government of Botswana — Jwaneng has built its reputation on producing high volumes of exceptionally high-quality diamonds. Its legacy includes the recovery of a 1,098-carat gem-quality rough in 2021, one of the largest diamonds ever discovered.
The Jwaneng 28.88 began as a substantial 114.83-carat rough stone, which underwent months of meticulous planning and precision cutting by De Beers’ master artisans. The result is a Type IIa diamond — a classification reserved for fewer than 2% of all natural diamonds — prized for its extraordinary chemical purity and remarkable optical transparency.
“The Jwaneng 28.88 is a perfect emblem of De Beers’ unmatched legacy in diamonds,” said Quig Bruning, head of jewels at Sotheby’s. “It’s at once a vanishingly rare feat of nature, combined with a master class in diamond cutting and polishing. Natural diamonds truly are forever, and I cannot think of a better stone to symbolize this special collaboration.”
The unveiling took place at the elegant Maison Assouline boutique in London and coincided with the release of the book A Diamond Is Forever: The Making of a Cultural Icon, 1926–2026. The publication celebrates the enduring cultural significance of diamonds and the legacy of De Beers’ iconic marketing, which helped define modern notions of romance and commitment.
The Jwaneng 28.88 will hit the auction block in Hong Kong along with two other D-flawless lots from De Beers — a 3.03-carat pear-shaped solitaire ring and a pair of earrings, each set with a 2-carat round diamond.
Credits: Photos courtesy of Sotheby’s.