Anschar Diamonds Blog

As April shines a spotlight on diamond — the month’s official birthstone — few gems capture the imagination quite like the extraordinary "Motswedi" diamond, a 2,488.32-carat marvel whose story is still unfolding.



Discovered in August 2024 at Botswana’s Karowe Mine, the Motswedi immediately secured its place in history as the second-largest diamond ever unearthed, surpassed only by the legendary Cullinan Diamond of 1905. Classified as a Type IIa stone — meaning it possesses exceptional chemical purity with virtually no nitrogen impurities — the light brown gem-quality crystal represents the pinnacle of what nature can achieve over billions of years.



Today, the massive rough is in Antwerp under the careful scrutiny of HB Antwerp, where experts are conducting advanced scans and analyses to determine its ultimate value and fate. And that fate remains one of the most tantalizing questions in the diamond world.

At more than half a kilogram (17.58 ounces) and measuring more than 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) in length, Motswedi is not just rare — it’s a logistical and philosophical challenge. Should it be cut into a record-breaking polished diamond, potentially yielding a constellation of spectacular stones? Or should it remain intact, preserved as a once-in-a-century natural wonder?

“There’s no easy answer,” industry insiders suggest, noting that stones of this magnitude are within the reach of a limited pool of qualified buyers. Museums, private collectors and luxury houses are all potential suitors. Some institutions have already expressed interest in acquiring the diamond in its rough form, preferring to showcase its raw grandeur rather than alter it through cutting.

The name “Motswedi,” chosen through a national competition in Botswana, adds another layer of meaning. In Setswana, it translates to “water spring” or “source” — a poetic nod to something that emerges from deep within the earth to sustain and inspire life. It’s a fitting metaphor for a diamond that symbolizes both natural wonder and national pride.

Botswana’s diamond industry has long been a cornerstone of its economic success, and discoveries like Motswedi reinforce the country’s position as a global leader in diamond production. The Karowe mine, operated by Lucara Diamond Corp., has become renowned for producing exceptional “mega diamonds,” thanks in part to advanced X-ray transmission technology that allows large stones to be recovered intact.

Comparisons to the Cullinan are inevitable. The 3,106-carat Cullinan was famously cut into nine principal diamonds and nearly 100 smaller stones, many of which now reside in the British Crown Jewels. Motswedi could follow a similar path — potentially yielding multiple high-value gems — or it could chart a completely different course.

For now, Motswedi' 's next chapter remains unwritten. HB Antwerp’s ongoing evaluation will determine not only its potential yield but also its market value, which some estimates place well into the tens — or even hundreds — of millions of dollars.

Credits: Photos courtesy of CNW Group/Lucara Diamond Corp.

As the world turned its eyes skyward yesterday, Artemis II was poised to make history with the first crewed journey around the Moon in more than half a century. For jewelry lovers, however, this milestone isn’t just about exploration — it could mark the early steps toward an entirely new source of precious metals.



Launching from Kennedy Space Center, the 10-day mission will carry four astronauts — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen — on a sweeping arc around the Moon and back to Earth. It’s the first time humans will venture that far since the Apollo era, and its success is expected to pave the way for a crewed lunar landing as early as 2028.



That future mission isn’t just about planting flags — it could unlock a treasure trove beneath the Moon’s cratered surface.



According to research published in Planetary and Space Science in 2025, lunar craters may contain more than $1 trillion worth of platinum group metals, including platinum, palladium and rhodium. These valuable materials didn’t originate on the Moon itself. Instead, they were delivered over billions of years by asteroid impacts — cosmic collisions that scattered metal-rich debris across the lunar landscape.

Scientists estimate that roughly 6,500 craters could hold commercially viable concentrations of these metals. In many cases, the force of impact caused molten asteroid material to pool within the craters, effectively concentrating the very elements prized in fine jewelry and high-tech manufacturing.

If even a fraction of that material becomes accessible, it could reshape the global supply of precious metals.

Beyond platinum group metals, the Moon may also harbor another extraordinary resource: helium-3. This rare isotope — virtually nonexistent on Earth —is believed to exist in meaningful quantities in the lunar soil. With an estimated value of about $20 million per kilogram, helium-3 is highly sought after for its potential role in clean nuclear fusion and even in cooling next-generation quantum computers.

For now, these possibilities remain largely theoretical. Extracting and transporting materials from the Moon presents enormous engineering and financial challenges. Robotic mining systems, new propulsion technologies and international agreements will all be required before lunar resources can realistically reach Earth.

Still, Artemis II represents a critical step forward. By testing the Orion spacecraft and the systems needed to sustain human life in deep space, the mission lays the groundwork for a sustained human presence on the Moon. And with that presence comes the potential for commercial activity — mining included.

Imagine a future where a platinum ring can trace its origins not to a terrestrial mine, but to a lunar crater formed billions of years ago. It’s a concept that blends science fiction with emerging reality.

Of course, the timeline is uncertain. Even with a successful Artemis II mission and a targeted lunar landing later this decade, large-scale mining operations are likely years — if not decades — away. But the direction is clear: space is becoming the next frontier not only for exploration, but for resources that could one day influence everything from engagement rings to high-performance alloys.

Credits: Artemis II photo courtesy of NASA/Joel Kowsky. Artemis II crew photo courtesy of NASA/Kim Shiflett. Crater image courtesy of NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University.