More big bling from African dig
A massive diamond has been uncovered in southern Africa, measuring slightly less than 100 carats.
The Type 2A behemoth was discovered at a mine in Angola, the site of a similar find in 2012.
The rock is an irregular equant shape, measuring 24 x 20 x 16mm. It comes in at 95.45 carat, just over 19 grams.
Lucapa’s managing director Miles Kennedy says the latest monster, combined with a 131.4 carat rock in 2012 is proof they picked a good spot.
“It is remarkable that we are continuing to find diamonds of this size and value in such relatively small bulk samples at Lulo,” he said.
“We go into 2014 with even greater confidence in our search for the kimberlite pipe or pipes which are shedding these fabulous diamonds.”
The recent find pales in comparison to the largest ever - a title awarded to the 621kg, 3106 carat Cullinan diamond.
The Cullinan has been cut into 105 smaller diamonds, the largest of which are in the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.
The extreme conditions on the planet Jupiter may be even more dazzling.
Conditions there are so intense that carbon in the atmosphere can be compressed to form diamonds in the sky. Elsewhere, on the surface, scientists predict that seas of melted diamond at incredible temperatures may exist.