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.
