Mike Botha’s Cutting of Arkansas Diamond Open to Public

(IDEX Online News) – Mike Botha, president of Embee Diamonds, is getting ready to cut the “Esperanza” diamond. The 8.52-carat white damond was found at Arkansas’s Crater of Diamonds State Park at Murfreesboro in June.

The process of cutting the diamond, which was discovered by park visitor Bobbie Oskarson, will take place at Stanley Jewelers Gemologists in North Little Rock and will be open for the public to see.

According to his plan, Botha will cut the stone into a five-carat 147-facet triolette shape – a composite of emerald and trapezoid, reported The Nashville Leader.

Once it is cut and polished, the stone will be graded by AGS before being mounted in a custom-designed pendant by Erica Courtney.

“Every one of us involved in this diamond’s journey is an AGS member, and we all feel so honored to spend time with this spectacular American diamond that is receiving so much national and international attention,” said Stanley, as reported by the paper.  

“I’ve lost count of how many thousands of diamonds I’ve crafted over the last 48 years, and the ‘Esperanza’ may not even rank among the largest, but it is an exceptional diamond. And to cut and polish her at home in The Natural State is a once-in-a-lifetime event,” said Botha.

The cutting event will take place between September 9-12. The process can also be followed on facebook https://www.facebook.com/theesperanza.