Alrosa has announced the recovery of two gem-quality stones weighing 97.92 carats and 85.62 carats in January. Both stones were recovered from the Yubileynaya pipe at Aikhal Mining and Processing Division. The pipe, discovered in 1975, is “traditionally Alrosa’s leader in the recovery of large diamonds”, according to the Russian miner.
The 97.92 carat rough diamond “is a transparent octahedron yellow-hue crystal with small sulfide and olivine inclusions near the surface”, measuring 26 х 17 х 21 mm. The second rough, weighing 85.62-carats, is also a transparent yellow-hue crystal – an isometric octahedron crystal with small disseminated inclusions measuring 27.89 х 27.20 х 27.14 mm.
Evgeny Agureev, Director of the USO ALROSA, commented on the finds: “[…] It is true that large stones over 50 carats are very rare. Such diamonds are traditionally sold at auctions where they are in good demand […]”.
