Historic 8.52-carat “Esperanza Diamond” featured at The Smart Jewelry Show

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Displayed with R. Harder Gallery Collection from Jewelers Mutual

(NEENAH, Wisc.) – The Smart Jewelry Show, April 17-19 in Chicago, will be hosting the historic Esperanza Diamond. The one-of-a-kind diamond will be on display with other pieces which are part of R. Harder Gallery of Gems and Minerals from Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company.

The R. Harder Gallery is a gallery located onsite at the Jewelers Mutual corporate office in Neenah, Wisconsin. It houses one of the nation’s largest private collections of minerals and gemstones in their natural form.

“The world of diamonds and gemstones is fascinating,” said Scott Murphy, President and CEO at Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company. “It is an honor to have some of our most prized stones from the R. Harder Gallery share company with the spectacular Esperanza diamond at the Smart Jewelry Show.”

The Esperanza is the most valuable diamond ever discovered in the United States. It was unearthed in June of 2015 in Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas. Special arrangements were made to have the rough diamond crystal cut and polished locally to preserve its “born and raised in Arkansas” status. Adding to its all American provenance, it was cut by master diamond cutter Mike Botha of Embee Diamonds, an American Gem Society member.

The unique icicle shaped crystal weighed 8.52 carats – the fourth largest crystal ever found in the United States and yielded a perfectly colorless and internally flawless finished diamond of 4.605 carats graded D IF by AGSL. The exotic Triolette shape of the finished diamond features 147 facets, and the diamond is set into a custom designed platinum pendant as unique as the diamond itself. It was designed by New Zealand-based Inspired Collections’ Ian Douglas and crafted in the USA by Byard F. Brogan, both of whom are also AGS members.

The Esperanza diamond, valued in excess of $1 million dollars, is the most valuable American diamond ever, and she will be making her way to her new owner after the Smart Jewelry Show. Her appearance at the Smart Jewelry Show means that attendees will be forever connected to this exceptional gem, and with a little bit of American diamond history – a truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“I welcome all attending the show to stop by the gallery and celebrate nature’s finest work,” said Murphy.