The share price of diamond junior Rockwell rose nearly 2,5% on the JSE on August 18, after it noted improvements in diamond prices.

In an update of its diamonds sales, the TSX-listed Rockwell, which earlier this year managed to stave off hostile takeover attempts, said that a 40-ct diamond had sold at $15 200/ct and a 21-ct gem at $17 400/ct.

The diamonds sold were from Rockwell’s Holpan, Klipdam and Saxendrift mines, all in South Africa’s Northern Cape prov-
ince. Rockwell’s fourth operation, Wouter-span, located on the Middle Orange river, next to Saxendrift, remained on care and maintenance, however, the company said.

Sales since the start of 2009 had, Rock-well said, been by way of a combination of tendering, direct selling of select goods to specialised manufacturers, sales to the South African State Diamond Trader and income from special stones beneficiated in terms of Rockwell`s agreement with the Steinmetz group.

An average price of $722/ct was obtained from the first sale in July, which included production from the period of late May and June, made up of 15 diamonds in the 10-ct to 20-ct range and six in the 20-ct to 30-ct range, with the largest diamond in that period being 
38,33 ct.

Results from the most recent sale in late July averaged $1 224 ct from diamonds mined in late June and July.

The largest diamond sold in late July was a 40-ct D colour flat stone, which fetched $15 200/ct. 
Further, a 21,69-ct internally flawless diamond of E colour sold for $17 400/ct. Sales prices for small, under-0,75-ct stones in late July averaged 10% more than in the previous period.

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