JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A giant pink diamond of 170 carats has been found in Angola and is claimed to be the most important such gemstone present in 300 years.
Known as the “Lulo Rose,” the diamond was discovered on the Lulo alluvial diamond mine, the mine’s proprietor, the Lucapa Diamond Firm, introduced Wednesday on its web site.
“Just one in 10,000 diamonds is coloured pink. So that you’re actually a really uncommon article if you discover a very giant pink diamond,” Lucapa CEO Stephen Wetherall instructed The Related Press.
The pink gemstone is anticipated to fetch a excessive worth when auctioned, however Wetherall mentioned he would not know what sort of premium might be paid due to its coloration.
Lulo is an alluvial mine which suggests the stones are recovered from a river mattress. The Lucapa firm is trying to find the underground deposits, referred to as kimberlite pipes, which might be the primary supply of the diamonds, mentioned Wetherall, talking from the corporate’s headquarters in Australia.
“We’re searching for the kimberlite pipes that introduced these diamonds to the floor,” Wetherall mentioned. “Once you discover these high-value giant diamonds … it actually elevates the thrill from our perspective in our hunt for the first supply. ”
About 400 employees are employed on the Lulo mine which has already produced the 2 largest diamonds ever present in Angola, together with a 404-carat clear diamond, he mentioned.
The pink gemstone is the fifth largest diamond discovered on the mine the place 27 diamonds of 100 carats or extra have been discovered, in accordance with Lucapa.
The pink diamond might be offered by worldwide tender by the Angolan state diamond advertising and marketing firm, Sodiam. Angola’s mines make it one of many world’s high 10 producers of diamonds.
“This file and spectacular pink diamond recovered from Lulo continues to showcase Angola as an essential participant on the world stage for diamond mining and demonstrates the potential and rewards for dedication and funding in our rising diamond mining business,” Diamantino Azevedo, Angola’s Minister of Minerals Sources, Petroleum and Fuel mentioned, in accordance with the Lucapa web site.
The pink diamond is a formidable dimension however many clear diamonds are bigger than 1,000 carats. The Cullinan diamond present in South Africa in 1905 suggestions the scales at 3,106 carats and it is within the British Sovereign’s Scepter.