Media
Gem Diamonds is a leading global diamond producer of high value diamonds. The Company owns 70% of the Letšeng mine in Lesotho and 100% of the Ghaghoo mine in Botswana. The Letšeng mine is famous for the production of large, top colour, exceptional white diamonds, making it the highest dollar per carat kimberlite diamond mine in the world. Since Gem Diamonds acquired the mine in 2006, Letšeng has produced over 60 +100 carat, predominantly high value, white diamonds. Amongst these diamonds recovered are the iconic 910 carat Lesotho Legend, the 603 carat Lesotho Promise, the 550 carat Letšeng Star and the 493 carat Letšeng Legacy.
In 2015, Letšeng produced the 357 carat Letšeng Dynasty and the 314 carat Letšeng Destiny. In addition Letšeng has produced high quality pink and blue diamonds, with a rare blue diamond achieving a sales price of US$603 047 per carat in 2013 and an exceptional pink diamond achieving $187 700 per carat in 2016.
The Ghaghoo mine in Botswana was placed on Care and Maintenance in February 2017 due to market conditions and a formal sale process is underway.
Additional value is created through the Group’s expanded sales, marketing and diamond analysis operations in Antwerp.
Media relations contact
CELICOURT COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED
Mark Antelme - mantelme@celicourt.uk
Felicity Winkles - fwinkles@celicourt.uk
Lesotho Legend - 2018 - 910 carats
Sold for US$40 million
This exceptional top-quality D colour, Type IIa rough diamond is the fifth largest gem quality diamond ever found and the largest diamond to be recovered at Letšeng.
The exceptional size, colour and quality of diamonds produced at Letšeng makes it the highest dollar per carat producing kimberlite diamond mine in the world and the recovery of the Lesotho Legend reinforces the unsurpassed quality of this mine.
This magnificent and historically significant diamond has been named the Lesotho Legend to celebrate not only the mine, but also its country of origin.