One of the world’s largest-ever pink diamonds has been unearthed in Lesotho and it is 10 times heavier than one that fetched nearly GBP 50 million.
The diamond, a 108.39-carat rough pink diamond, was reportedly unearthed from the Kao mine in the Kingdom of Lesotho at the end of March.
Newsflash obtained a statement from Storm Mountain Diamonds saying: “Storm Mountain Diamonds (Pty) Ltd is delighted to announce the recovery on 23 March 2023 of a spectacular fancy intense pink diamond weighing 108.39ct at its Kao mine in the Kingdom of Lesotho.
“This exceptionally rare Type IIa gemstone is one of the largest pink diamonds in history to have been recovered. Kao mine consistently produces large pink diamonds which have resulted in some of the rarest vivid polished outcomes.” (sic)
The diamond mining company said that the gem, which has yet to be named, is far larger than the Kao mine’s previous record holder, the 47.81-carat gem called ‘Pink Eternity’, which was unearthed in Autumn 2022.
The statement added: “Some of these recent recoveries include the ‘Pink Eternity’ (47.81ct) in 2022, the ‘Pink Dawn’ (25.97ct) and ‘Pink Palesa’ (21.68ct) in 2021, and the Rose of Kao (29.59ct) in 2018, and this latest find re-emphasizes Kao mine’s position as of one of the world’s most important producers of exceptional pink diamonds.
“The Lesotho Minister of Natural Resources has commented of the diamond that ‘it is one of the most significant diamonds found to date in Lesotho’.” (sic)
Storm Mountain Diamonds CEO Mohale Ralikariki reportedly said: “Looking at it alone, it’s absolutely beautiful.”
It is currently unclear how much the record-breaking diamond could be worth, with local media reporting that it is expected to fetch millions and that an 11.15-carat pink diamond called Williamson Pink Star had previously sold for USD 57.7 million (GBP 46 million).
The world’s most famous pink diamond is perhaps the fictional gem that featured in the 1963 Pink Panther movie with Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau, who had to track down ‘The Phantom’, a jewel thief who stole the priceless gem.
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Story By: Joseph Golder, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
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