Gem Diamonds Finds Two 160+-Carat Diamonds

One of the diamonds is a 162.06-carat type II stone, while the other is a 161.74-carat type I diamond.

Mid-size diamond miner Gem Diamonds has recovered two diamonds weighing more than 160 carats from the Letšeng mine in Lesotho.

The rough stones were mined at the end of January.

Gem Diamonds said they were expected to achieve high prices at the February tender of Letšeng diamonds.

The stones were mined in an almost undamaged condition, which Gem Diamonds said was evidence that steps it has implemented to slash diamond damage at Letšeng are working.

“We are pleased to see the Letšeng mine continue to deliver such large high-quality white diamonds as the mine confirms its position as the world’s foremost source of exceptional large diamonds,” said Gem Diamonds CEO Clifford Elphick.

Gem Diamonds holds a 70-percent stake in the Letšeng mine as well as the Ghaghoo mine, with the Lesotho government holding the rest. Since Gem Diamonds’ acquisition of Letšeng in 2006, the mine has produced four of the top-20 largest white gem quality diamonds ever recorded.