Stellar Diamonds plc has completed its first sale of diamonds in Antwerp with 4,414 carats yielding gross revenues of US$ 417,122, the company said. The sale included excellent quality white stones, with a value of US$5,000 per carat achieved for one particular five carat stone.

The statement said that the company was pleased with the revenues in “a challenging market for rough diamonds”.  

However, all the diamonds were not sold – 1,617 carats were withheld as “the bid prices were not considered acceptable”. These goods will be added to future exports and be offered for sale at a later date, the company said.

The West African focused diamond development company has commenced trial mining of its Baoulé kimberlite in Guinea, and is also exploring potential projects in Sierra Leoneand Guinea.

The next sale from Stellar’s operations is planned for May 2015.