Messika showcases Botswana's Okavango Blue diamond at Paris Fashion Week

During Paris Fashion Week, the jewelry house Messika showcased the ‘Okavango Blue’, an extraordinary blue diamond originating from Botswana. The stone, which is considered a national treasure of Botswana, was featured in the ‘Terre de Contrastes’ collection designed by creative director Valérie Messika.

The diamond was extracted from the Orapa mine in 2018 from a 41.11-carat rough stone. It is noted as the largest and rarest blue diamond ever found in Botswana and the eighth largest discovered globally. The piece was worn by model Irina Shayk during a show held at the Grand Palais.

The collaboration between the French jewelry house and the government of Botswana aims to highlight the nation's natural heritage through high-end craftsmanship. Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko described the partnership as a way to celebrate the country's heritage and authentic spirit.