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SourcingJan 16, 2018
910-Carat Diamond Found in Lesotho
Gem Diamonds recovered the “exceptional quality” stone from its Letšeng mine.
This photo from Gem Diamonds shows the 910-carat diamond just recovered from its Letšeng mine. Gem said it is the fifth largest rough gem-quality diamond ever mined, and the biggest stone found at Letšeng to date.
New York--Gem Diamonds Limited announced Monday the recovery of what it said is the fifth largest gem-quality diamond ever mined.
The 910-carat diamond was recovered from the Letšeng mine in Lesotho, in which Gem Diamonds holds a 70 percent stake. Letšeng is the highest dollar-per-carat kimberlite mine in the world.
The as-of-yet unnamed diamond is a D color, Type IIa stone, and the largest to be mined at Letšeng.
Gem Diamonds CEO Clifford Elphick said: “Since Gem Diamonds acquired Letšeng in 2006, the mine has produced some of the world’s most remarkable diamonds, including the 603-carat Lesotho Promise; however, this exceptional top quality diamond is the largest to be mined to date and highlights the unsurpassed quality of the Letšeng mine.
“This is a landmark recovery for all of Gem Diamonds’ stakeholders, including our employees, shareholders and the Government of Lesotho, our partner in the Letšeng mine.”
Recently, Gem Diamonds recovered two D-color, Type IIa diamonds from Letšeng weighing more than 100 carats each.
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