Geologists have identified that the world’s largest diamonds belong to a rare class known as CLIPPIR [1].
This discovery provides a scientific explanation for why a tiny fraction of gemstones reach such immense sizes and purity. Understanding the CLIPPIR classification allows researchers to distinguish these geological anomalies from standard diamond formations.
The acronym CLIPPIR stands for Cullinan-like, Large, Inclusion-Poor, Pure, Irregular, and Resorbed [1]. According to researchers, these diamonds are exceptionally rare, accounting for less than one percent of all diamonds found on Earth [1].
Two of the most famous examples of this class were recovered from African mines. The Cullinan diamond, found at the Premier mine in South Africa, weighed 3,106 carats [1]. Another specimen, the Lesedi La Rona, was discovered in 2015 at the Karowe mine in Botswana [1].
The Lesedi La Rona weighed 1,111 carats [1]. This specific diamond was later sold in 2017 for U.S.$53 million [1].
Geologists said the purity and scale of these stones are the result of the specific conditions that define the CLIPPIR class. Because these diamonds are inclusion-poor, they maintain a level of clarity that is uncommon in stones of similar magnitude. The irregular and resorbed nature of their shapes further distinguishes them from the more common diamond varieties found in most commercial deposits [1].
“CLIPPIR diamonds make up less than 1% of all diamonds on Earth”
The identification of the CLIPPIR class shifts the understanding of diamond formation from general geology to a specialized category of rare events. By isolating the characteristics of the world's largest stones, geologists can better predict the potential of specific mining sites in South Africa and Botswana, where these rare conditions are more likely to occur.
