A 170 carat pink diamond – believed to be the largest recovered in the last 300 years – has been unearthed at the Australian-operated Lulo alluvial mine in Angola.
The diamond has been given the name ‘The Lulo Rose’.
The Lulo concession boasts the two largest recorded diamonds recovered in Angola, the largest being the 404 carat ‘4th February Stone’. This historical pink diamond is the 5th largest diamond and is the 27th +100 carat recovered to date on the Lulo concession.
The diamond will be sold via international tender to be conducted by Sodiam E.P, the Angolan State Diamond Marketing Company.
Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, Diamantino Azevedo, said, “This record and spectacular pink diamond recovered from Lulo continues to showcase Angola as an important player on the world stage for diamond mining and demonstrates the potential and rewards for commitment and investment in our growing diamond mining industry.”
Dr José Manuel Ganga Júnior, Chairman of the Board of Endiama, said, “The record-breaking Lulo diamond field has again delivered a precious and large gemstone, this time an extremely rare and beautiful pink diamond.
“It is a significant day for the Angolan diamond industry and the long-standing partnership between Endiama, Lucapa and Rosas and Petalas.”
Australia’s Lucapa Diamond Company Limited Managing Director, Stephen Wetherall, said, “Lulo is an exceptional alluvial resource and is truly a gift. We are once again made very proud by yet another historic recovery.
“We too look forward to our partnership progressing its exploration effort, where we are now bulk sampling the priority kimberlites, in search for the primary kimberlite sources of these exceptional and high-value diamonds.”
