Gem unearths 196ct diamond
Latest in Business News
On Facebook
Gem Diamonds, the London-listed miner, yesterday unveiled a 196-carat diamond that was found last month at its mine in Lesotho.
The group said that the stone will attract a "substantial price" and that initial tests "indicate that it is expected to produce top colour and top clarity polished diamonds". The Government of Lesotho owns a 30 per cent stake in the mine.
Gem said that since buying the rights to the Letseng project four years ago, the mine has produced three of the world's top 20 biggest diamonds, including the 603-carat Letseng Promise, which was found in August 2006.
The find comes a year after fellow Southern Africa diamond miner Petra unearthed a 507-carat stone from its assets in near Johannesburg.
The Cullinan Heritage, the 19th largest diamond ever found, was sold to a Hong Kong jeweller in February for $35.3m.
- 1 Eight arrests as Murdoch 'throws staff to the wolves'
- 2 Whitney Houston dies aged 48
- 3 What really happened on the bridge when the Costa Concordia crashed
- 4 I was born to be a killer. Every night I see the Devil in my dreams
- 5 Lightning kills an entire football team
- 6 Hacking group threatens 'crusade' against Israel
- 7 BBC to issue global apology for documentaries that broke rules
- 1 I was born to be a killer. Every night I see the Devil in my dreams
- 2 BBC to issue global apology for documentaries that broke rules
- 3 Lightning kills an entire football team
- 4 Rothschild loses libel case, and reveals secret world of money and politics
- 5 The Top 50 Independent Schools at A-level*
- 6 Younger Castro steers Cuba to a new revolution
- 7 Mona Lisa's 'twin sister' is discovered – 500 years late
- 8 Pucker up: The art of kissing
- 9 Scottish town where green is beyond the pale
- 10 Lonely? Shy? Sad? Well now you're 'mentally ill', too
Free trial of new Independent iPad app
Get your daily dose of the best of British journalism, sponsored by American Airlines
Win a three-week coastal jaunt
Spend three weeks exploring every nook and cranny of gorgeous Atlantic Canada.
Amazing restaurant offers
Three glasses of free champagne and a special menu at 46 top London restaurants.
Latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Day In a Page
Jim Gamble: We are losing the race to protect our young


Comments