Lucara Diamond Corp’s first Exceptional Stone Tender of 2016 yielded gross revenues of US $51.3 million, the Company said in a statement issued yesterday.  The tender consisted of 10 single stone lots from the Company’s Karowe Mine in Botswana. All 10 diamonds, totaling 1,525 carats, were sold, giving an average of US $33,632 per carat, the Company added.

In all, seven diamonds sold for over US$ 2 million each, including four stones which sold for over US$ 5 million each.

The largest stone, 296.7 carat Type IIa diamond sold for US $12.19 million (US $41,088/ct), while another large stone of 245.4 carats sold for US $10.49 million (US $42,738/ct).

The highest price was achieved by the 119.0 carat diamond, which sold for US $58,931 per ct.

William Lamb, President and CEO, commented, "The results from this tender continue to demonstrate the strength of the exceptional stone market. We are very pleased with the quality of the diamonds being recovered which is evident in the consistent average value per carat achieved."

Pic caption: The 297 ct stone which sold for US$ 12.19 million