Lucapa Diamond Company has recovered a 128-carat diamond from the Lulo alluvial mine in Angola, the 12th 100-plus carat gem it has secured from the African site.
The impressive find was among a number of Specials, including a 7.5-carat fancy purple pink gem, recently recovered from Mining Block 6 at Lulo, according to the Perth-based company.
Lucapa, which partners with Empresa Nacional de Diamantes E.P. (Endiama) and Rosas & Petalas at Lulo, reported that testing on Yehuda colorimeter confirmed the 128-carat stone as a top-colour white Type IIa diamond.
“The Lulo partners will likely include the 128-carat diamond and 7.5-carat fancy purple pink in the next international tender, along with the 75-carat Type IIa top-colour diamond recovered in fourth quarter 2018 and other Specials recovered,” Lucapa managing director Stephen Wetherall said.
The recovery of the diamonds follows the success of the recent historic first tender in Angola under the country’s new diamond marketing regulations.
At the tender, seven large, top-quality Lulo diamonds were sold for $US16.7 million ($22.7 million) at an average per carat price of $US33,530.
Lucapa and its partners plan to increase production at Lulo by more than 25 per cent in 2019.
