Diamond News Archives

(IDEX Online) - Lucara has announced the recovery of an unbroken 341-carat diamond at Karowe in Botswana, bringing the mine's tally of stones over 200-carats to 54 since 2015.

Earlier this month the Canadian miner had its lease on the deposit extended for 25 years, clearing the way for a major $500m underground expansion program.

The top white gem quality diamond (pictured) was recovered over the holiday period in ore milled from an area of the mine's South Lobe long associated with valuable finds.

"The consistent recovery of these large diamonds is a testament to the continued strong resource and plant performance at Karowe and underpins our rationale for moving forward with the underground expansion program that will see mining continue for at least another 13 years after the open pit ceases operations in 2026," said CEO Eira Thomas.

"The 341-carat diamond represents the 54th diamond greater than 200 carats to be recovered from Karowe since 2015."

Historic recoveries at Karowe include the 549-carat Sethunya, 1,758-carat Sewelô, the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona and the 342-carat Queen of the Kalahari....

(IDEX Online) - De Beers has reportedly raised rough diamond prices by as much as five per cent at its first Sight of 2020.

Insiders indicate that most of the increases affect stones over one carat, according to a Bloomberg news report. 

The scale of the price hike, described as the biggest in years, has surprised many within the industry. 

De Beers dropped its prices and started offering discounts and extra flexibility to Sight holders in August.

It reportedly increased put them up again by two or three per cent at an extended Sight in December as demand began to firm, and has now followed through with further rises at its ongoing Sight 1, which concludes in Gabarone, Botswana, on Friday.

De Beers sold $440m of rough in December, the fourth consecutive month in which 2020 Sights matched or surpassed their 2019 equivalents.

De Beers does not comment on prices....

(IDEX Online) - Divorcee Christine Bonavita is giving away her wedding and engagement rings, with a combined value of over $3,500, to a deserving couple who faced adversities last year.

"I have seen such kindness out there in my darkest hour, so I know what it's like to struggle," she said.

Christine, 39, from Norfolk, Virginia, USA, married in 2010, divorced a year ago, and is a marking the anniversary by gifting her jewelry to strangers.

The mum-of-two is offering a 1-ctw engagement ring and a 0.25-ctw wedding band, both set set in 14k white gold. They cost $2,800 and $759 respectively in 2010.

"It would bring me the most joy to see others smile in receiving these wedding gifts," she said.

In a Facebook post she asks couples who are interested to email her with their full names, a recent photo, and at least 250 words on how they overcame obstacles in 2020.

Pic shows the rings and (inset) Christine...