Storm Mountain Diamonds in Lesotho has confirmed the discovery of a rare 108.39-carat pink rough diamond a type IIa (2a) stone.

Storm Mountain Diamonds has confirmed the discovery of a rare ‘fancy intense pink’ diamond at the Kao Mine in Lesotho.

The 108.39-carat diamond is one of the largest pink diamonds ever discovered and is a type IIa (2a) stone.

108-CARAT PINK DIAMOND DISCOVERY

In recent years the mine has produced rare, exceptional diamonds, but in the last five years, ‘pink diamonds’ have fast become their signature.

The coloured-rare diamonds have often been regarded as attractive investments and have gained huge market value.

The mine has had four rare pink diamonds – and the 108.39-carat rough pink diamond is the fifth in the last five years.

These diamond recoveries have seen Kao Mine being listed as the fourth-largest kimberlite mine in the Southern Africa region.

Speaking to SABC News, CEO of Storm Mountain Diamonds, Mohale Ralikariki, revealed that the latest discovery is “beautiful”.

Ralikariki said: “Looking at it alone, it’s absolutely beautiful. In the last four years, we have, if you look at the history of mining,”

GOVERNMENT RUBBISHES ‘BLOOD DIAMOND’ CLAIMS

However, despite these discoveries, the government of Lesotho has rubbished ‘blood diamonds’ claims being peddled by several tabloids.

In Lesotho, the diamond sector employs around 3 000 people who are regarded as high earners.