JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – An “exceptional” 23.16 ct pink diamond uncovered at Petra Diamonds’ Williamson mine, in Tanzania, in November, has been sold into a partnership arrangement for $10.05-million, or $433 938/ct for the rough stone.
Petra would also retain a 20% interest in the sales proceeds of the polished diamond, which was bought by Golden Yellow Diamonds on behalf of diamond manufacturer and large and unique coloured diamonds specialist MA Anavi Diamond Group.
Petra CEO Johan Dippenaar said the sale result affirmed that the market for high-quality coloured diamonds remained robust.
“Pinks of this size and quality are incredibly rare, but the Williamson mine is known to produce them from time to time. This bodes well for the future of the mine as we continue to ramp up production and optimise the processing plant.
“Given the exceptional nature of this pink stone, we are delighted to retain exposure to the uplift in the polished [stone],” he remarked.
The Williamson mine was renowned for rounded Type II white goods and ‘bubblegum’ pink stones. The Williamson Pink, which was considered to be one of the finest pink diamonds ever recovered, was found at Williamson in October 1947, weighing 54 ct in the rough.
The mine, then owned by Canadian geologist and royalist Dr John Williamson, gave the diamond to Princess Elizabeth in 1947 as a wedding present. It was cut into a 23 ct round brilliant and set as the centre of a brooch in the form of a jonquil flower, designed and set by Cartier in 1953.