Las Vegas Diamonds

Published on 07/07/10

Give Mike Botha the right pebble, and he can turn it into one of the most brilliant diamonds in the world.

When training apprentices in Yellowknife, the master diamond cutter from Saskatchewan sought refuge from freezing winter nights by staying indoors and keeping busy on his computer.

It was while escaping the cold that the diamond expert created a rare diamond cut with 111 facets, making it one of the most intricate and light-reflecting designs in the world.

Diamonds typically have about 57 facets, and although Botha says more faces could have been added to his design, he's convinced it hits the "sweet spot."

"It reached optimal brilliance. This stone really came up trumps and we know that we're in this sweet spot for a diamond that looks beautiful," he said.

One more facet and the diamond's cut could lose its sparkle and definition, the Prince Albert, Sask., resident said.

And he knows his diamonds. He has already handled well over thousands of the sparkling gems in over 40 years of experience in South Africa, Mauritius, Russia and Canada.