Argyle diamond set to fetch millions

This rare sparkler may be worth millions but its discovery at Argyle in the Kimberley won’t be enough to stop the mine’s closure next year.

Mine operator Rio Tinto says the Argyle Octavia is one of the biggest gem quality white diamonds found at the mine over its 35 year history.

The 28.84 carat rock was recovered from the east Kimberley mine last month.

Argyle Diamonds general manager Andrew Wilson said the Argyle Octavia was unique in its size, shape and provenance and would take its place in history as one of a few special large white diamonds ever to be produced from the mine.

The stone will be sold by private tender at the world’s diamond capital, Antwerp in Belgium, later this year.
Collectors, jewellers and traders will be invited to place confidential bids, with the rough diamond going to the highest bidder.

The rock is expected to attract strong bidding given only about 20 similar stones have been recovered from Argyle and the mine’s imminent closure means it will be considered a legacy piece.

Its rare and beautiful octahedral shape is also likely to attract a strong premium compared to similar gems.
Alluvial diamond mining started at Argyle in 1983, moving to an open pit operation between 1985 and 2013, followed by an underground operation from 2013 using a block cave method of mining.

But there is no economic case for continuing mining at even deeper levels past 2020.

Rio will seek to redeploy the more than 450 staff and contractors at the mine to its other operations as the mine winds down.

Some staff will remain to help with the rehabilitation of the site, which is expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollar over several decades.

Source: thewest

Argyle diamond set to fetch millions

This rare sparkler may be worth millions but its discovery at Argyle in the Kimberley won’t be enough to stop the mine’s closure next year.

Mine operator Rio Tinto says the Argyle Octavia is one of the biggest gem quality white diamonds found at the mine over its 35 year history.

The 28.84 carat rock was recovered from the east Kimberley mine last month.

Argyle Diamonds general manager Andrew Wilson said the Argyle Octavia was unique in its size, shape and provenance and would take its place in history as one of a few special large white diamonds ever to be produced from the mine.

The stone will be sold by private tender at the world’s diamond capital, Antwerp in Belgium, later this year.
Collectors, jewellers and traders will be invited to place confidential bids, with the rough diamond going to the highest bidder.

The rock is expected to attract strong bidding given only about 20 similar stones have been recovered from Argyle and the mine’s imminent closure means it will be considered a legacy piece.

Its rare and beautiful octahedral shape is also likely to attract a strong premium compared to similar gems.
Alluvial diamond mining started at Argyle in 1983, moving to an open pit operation between 1985 and 2013, followed by an underground operation from 2013 using a block cave method of mining.

But there is no economic case for continuing mining at even deeper levels past 2020.

Rio will seek to redeploy the more than 450 staff and contractors at the mine to its other operations as the mine winds down.

Some staff will remain to help with the rehabilitation of the site, which is expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollar over several decades.

Source: thewest

Forevermark Appoints New CEO

De Beers jewelry subsidiary Forevermark has promoted chief operating officer Nancy Liu to CEO, as Stephen Lussier steps back.

She will take over the day-to-day running of the brand, allowing Lussier, who has been CEO since 2009, to increase his focus on shaping De Beers’ strategy at the consumer level, the company said last week. He will also continue in his position as Forevermark chairman, and will oversee its strategic role within the De Beers portfolio.

Liu joined Forevermark in 2008 as president of its Asia Pacific region. She was previously employed by L’Oréal, Louis Vuitton and the Boston Consulting Group.

“ Liu is an outstanding candidate to take over as CEO of Forevermark,” said Lussier. “As the brand sees rapid growth in Asia, Nancy’s exceptional expertise and knowledge of the region provides us with excellent continuity.”

De Beers appointed Liu to its executive committee in 2017.

Source: DCLA

Forevermark Appoints New CEO

De Beers jewelry subsidiary Forevermark has promoted chief operating officer Nancy Liu to CEO, as Stephen Lussier steps back.

She will take over the day-to-day running of the brand, allowing Lussier, who has been CEO since 2009, to increase his focus on shaping De Beers’ strategy at the consumer level, the company said last week. He will also continue in his position as Forevermark chairman, and will oversee its strategic role within the De Beers portfolio.

Liu joined Forevermark in 2008 as president of its Asia Pacific region. She was previously employed by L’Oréal, Louis Vuitton and the Boston Consulting Group.

“ Liu is an outstanding candidate to take over as CEO of Forevermark,” said Lussier. “As the brand sees rapid growth in Asia, Nancy’s exceptional expertise and knowledge of the region provides us with excellent continuity.”

De Beers appointed Liu to its executive committee in 2017.

Source: DCLA

Petra Diamonds on a roll after another major find at Cullinan

South Africa’s Petra Diamonds has found yet another big rock at its iconic Cullinan mine, the third coloured diamond over 100 carats since March that has been unearthed at the operation.

“It is the third Type II D colour gem quality diamond weighing more than 100 carats recovered at Cullinan since March”
The 209.9 carat, D colour, Type II gem quality diamond is also the fourth such stone discovered by Petra so far this financial year.

Source: DCLA

Petra Diamonds on a roll after another major find at Cullinan

South Africa’s Petra Diamonds has found yet another big rock at its iconic Cullinan mine, the third coloured diamond over 100 carats since March that has been unearthed at the operation.

“It is the third Type II D colour gem quality diamond weighing more than 100 carats recovered at Cullinan since March”
The 209.9 carat, D colour, Type II gem quality diamond is also the fourth such stone discovered by Petra so far this financial year.

Source: DCLA

Okavango Diamond Company finds and polishes a 20 carat unique fancy deep blue

The Okavango Diamond Company revealed a unique polished blue diamond weighing over 20 carats, the biggest blue diamond discovery ever made in Botswana.

GIA graded the 20.46 carat gem as a type IIb, Fancy Deep Blue, oval brilliant cut, VVS2.

The diamond was discovered at Botswana’s Orapa mine as a 41.11 carat rough stone. Its unique and vibrant blue color is the result of the inclusion of boron which between one to three billion years ago was present in the rocks of ancient oceans during violent diamond forming volcanic activity.

“From the first moment we saw the diamond, it was clear we had something very special. Everyone who has viewed the 20 carat polished diamond has marveled at its unique coloration which many see as unlike any blue stone they have seen before. It is incredibly unusual for a stone of this color and nature to have come from Botswana, a once in a lifetime find, which is about as rare as a star in the Milky Way,” says Marcus Ter Haar, MD of Okavango Diamond Company.

“It is little surprise blue diamonds are so sought after around the world as only a very small percentage of the world’s diamonds are classified as fancy color and, of those, only a select few can be classified as being Fancy Blue,” he added.

“At ODC we have access to 15 percent of Debswana’s run of mine production and feel extremely fortunate to be involved in such a singular find. Only a handful of similar blue stones have come to market during the last decade, of which the Okavango Blue rightfully takes its place as one of the most significant,” said Ter Haar.

The iconic Okavango Blue will be showcased over the coming months to promote Botswana as a leading global producer of natural ethical diamonds with an anticipated sale toward the end of the year.

Source:DCLA