Editor’s Note
The Kat Florence Lumina, a remarkable 181.61-carat Paraiba tourmaline, is concluding its world tour with final Asian exhibitions before its headline auction at Bonhams Hong Kong on May 22. This article details the gem’s discovery and history.
The Kat Florence Lumina, a flawless Paraiba tourmaline weighing 181.61 carats, will conclude its global debut tour with final exhibitions across Asia before heading to auction at Bonhams Hong Kong on May 22.
Gem hunter Don Kogen discovered the crystal during a routine expedition in the Mavuco district of Mozambique’s Nampula province in 2003. The rough stone, weighing 830 carats, was astonishing. Recognizing its extraordinary potential, Kogen estimated it could yield a 300-carat clean gemstone, a significant yield by any standard.
Years later in 2009, the Guinness World Records recognized the 191.87-carat Ethereal Carolina Divine Paraiba as the largest recorded Paraiba tourmaline. Valued between $25 million and $125 million, it set a benchmark for rarity and prestige.
In 2025, Don’s wife, world-renowned jewelry designer Kat Florence, encouraged him to revisit the rough stone. The initial result was a 315-carat gem of impressive size but compromised brilliance. Like many Paraibas over 100 carats, the stone exhibited “windowing,” where the fire and life in the center of the gem become dull.
After deep contemplation and months of precise work by Kat Florence’s elite cutting team, the gem was redesigned and reborn as the Kat Florence Lumina: a perfectly proportioned, flawless, 181.61-carat Paraiba tourmaline. It is now the largest known Paraiba tourmaline: unheated, vibrantly saturated, and masterfully cut to ignite light from every angle.
The Kat Florence Lumina is certified by Bellerophon, AGL, and Gübelin Gem Lab. Its rarity is globally recognized, combining size, color, clarity, and cut in a way unprecedented in the world of Paraiba tourmalines.
The gem is currently completing its final tour:
Taipei | April 11-13
Singapore | May 10-11
Hong Kong | May 17-21
On May 22, the Kat Florence Lumina will be auctioned at Bonhams Hong Kong, offering collectors and connoisseurs a rare opportunity to own a true masterpiece.
