ESPERANZA
The Esperanza diamond, the most valuable diamond ever discovered in the USA, was found at The Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas. Yet, uncovering this exceptional gem was only the beginning of its journey.
With the help of skilled members of the American Gem Society, this rare find was transformed into a masterpiece, securing its extraordinary provenance and solidifying its place in American history.
DISCOVERY
The Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas stands as a unique public destination where visitors, for a fee, can search for and keep diamonds they find.
In June 2015, Brooke Oskarson from Colorado unearthed the extraordinary 8.52-carat Esperanza diamond there. This gem ranks as the fifth-largest diamond ever found at the park. Named Esperanza for both her niece and the Spanish word for hope, it embodies a profound symbol of rarity and beauty.
The story of Esperanza underscores the allure and potential discoveries awaiting visitors to this one-of-a-kind park, reinforcing its significance as a premier destination for diamond enthusiasts.
CONNECTING
As the fifth largest diamond found in the Park's history, the Esperanza diamond already carried incredible significance. Brooke's vision for preserving and enhancing this gem led her to seek out the expertise of American Gem Society Professionals.
From Neil Beaty in Colorado to Laura Stanley in Little Rock, a network of passionate jewelers and gemologists joined forces to celebrate the rarity of this American treasure. With Stanley's introduction, the diamond’s journey moved forward.
CRAFTING ESPERANZA
After being graded as a Type IIa, internally flawless D-color diamond — a level of purity almost unheard of — Esperanza's true potential was yet to be revealed. The transformation came under the skilled hands of Mike Botha, Master Diamond Cutter
During a live cutting event at Stanley Jewelers, Botha spent 180 meticulous hours crafting a new shape, the "triolette," to highlight the diamond’s unmatched transparency and brilliance.
This precise design reduced the diamond to 4.605 carats with 147 dazzling facets.
SETTING ESPERANZA
But the Esperanza diamond's journey was far from over. Inspired Jewellery's Ian Douglas envisioned a breathtaking pendant to house this extraordinary stone.
He conceptualized a pendant that suspended the diamond in mid-air, with sleek platinum curves resembling droplets of water, accented with smaller SIRIUS STAR® DIAMONDS.
Finally, Byard F. Brogan, a renowned jewelry manufacturer in Philadelphia, brought the design to life.
The result was a masterpiece of craftsmanship — an artistic expression worthy of the rare Esperanza diamond. Today, this collaboration of skill and passion reflects the enduring allure of one of America's most remarkable gems.
The Esperanza diamond, the USA’s most valuable, was found in 2015 at the Crater of Diamonds State Park, Arkansas. Brooke Oskarson of Colorado discovered the 8.52-carat gem, naming it after her niece and the Spanish word for hope.
Mike Botha, transformed the Esperanza diamond. Botha developed a custom cut called the triolette, preserving weight while maximizing transparency and color, finishing the diamond at 4.605 carats with 147 facets.
Both the Gemological Institute of America and (former) American Gem Society Laboratories AGS also graded it a Type IIa, D color, internally flawless gem.
The setting of Esperanza was handled by Ian Douglas who designed a pendant with fluid platinum lines, suspending the diamond to emphasize its brilliance. Smaller SIRIUS STAR® Diamonds completed the platinum setting manufactured by Byard F. Brogan, a manufacturer in Philadelphia.
COVERING ESPERANZA
