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Massive diamond found in Lesotho | Massive diamond found in Lesotho |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Miners in Lesotho have discovered a huge gem stone which may become the largest ever polished round diamond. | |
The stone weighs 478 carats and is the 20th largest rough diamond ever found, said Gem Diamonds. | The stone weighs 478 carats and is the 20th largest rough diamond ever found, said Gem Diamonds. |
The company said the uncut rock was recovered recently from the Letseng mine, owned by the company in Lesotho. | The company said the uncut rock was recovered recently from the Letseng mine, owned by the company in Lesotho. |
The diamond, which is as yet unnamed, has the potential to yield a 150 carat cut stone, and could sell for tens of millions of dollars, the company said. | The diamond, which is as yet unnamed, has the potential to yield a 150 carat cut stone, and could sell for tens of millions of dollars, the company said. |
Clarity | Clarity |
"Preliminary examination of this remarkable diamond indicates it will yield a record-breaking polished stone of the very best colour and clarity," said the company's chief executive Clifford Elphick. | "Preliminary examination of this remarkable diamond indicates it will yield a record-breaking polished stone of the very best colour and clarity," said the company's chief executive Clifford Elphick. |
It would be bigger than the 105 carat round-cut Koh-i-Noor diamond, which is part of the British Crown Jewels. | It would be bigger than the 105 carat round-cut Koh-i-Noor diamond, which is part of the British Crown Jewels. |
It would still be dwarfed by the Cullinan diamond discovered in 1905, which was 3,106 carats uncut and yielded a teardrop shaped diamond of 530 carats called the Great Star of Africa. | It would still be dwarfed by the Cullinan diamond discovered in 1905, which was 3,106 carats uncut and yielded a teardrop shaped diamond of 530 carats called the Great Star of Africa. |
The Letseng mine is owned by a mining company of which Gem Diamonds controls 70% and the Lesotho government 30%. | The Letseng mine is owned by a mining company of which Gem Diamonds controls 70% and the Lesotho government 30%. |
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