Last year, Toronto-listed diamond producer Lucara Diamond Corp sold a 336.3 carat Type IIA diamond for $US8.18 million ($24,324/carat), while a 341.9 carat Type IIA diamond sold for $20.55 million ($60,114/carat).
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The spectacular rock smashes the previous record set for a diamond found in Angola, according to a press release.
Local media reported on Tuesday that the Lucapa Diamond Company, based in Perth but operating in the African nation of Angola, found the 404-carat diamond at its Lulo Diamond Project site, with estimates putting it as the 27th largest diamond ever found. The “spectacular” gemstone measures about 7 cm long.
However, perhaps most impressive is the fact that the gem is the largest diamond ever found in Angola, and the 27th-biggest diamond in the world. Lucapa, which holds a 40% stake, started mining there in August after winning a license in November 2014.
The find comes a few months after a small Canadian firm found the world’s second-biggest gem quality diamond ever recovered, and the largest in more than a century. However, it’s clear that the country is looking to shed that image.
Lucapa operates the Lulo mine and says its exploration program is progressing to find the kimberlite source of these diamonds.
“We have always emphasised the special nature of the Lulo diamond field and this recovery – together with the other 100 carat-plus diamonds recovered this year alone – is further evidence of that”, continues Lucapa chief executive Stephen Wetherall. Angola’s national diamond company Endiama, has a 32 percent stake and private partner Rosas and Pétalas a 28 percent share.
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Lucapa shares rose 29 per cent on Monday after the announcement.
