New twist in 'mega-diamond' tale

2007-09-23 17:24

Johan Eybers

Schweizer-Reneke - There has been another twist in the saga of the "mega-diamond" found in North West.

Now, claims are that it was found in Zimbabwe and smuggled to North West.

A rumour doing the the rounds here - allegedly after a bar chat with a member of the Scorpions - is that the Jade Giant was found by diamond miners in the northern parts of Zimbabwe.

And - in true Wilbur Smith fashion - a South African heard about the diamond and bought it. He (or she) then turned down an offer of $29m (R200m) made by an American and smuggled the stone to North West.

Experts have been puzzled by the colour of the "diamond", which is typical of those found in Zimbabwe.

Whether there is any truth in the bar-tale remains to be seen.

What is true, however, is that the cheque books are ready to buy surrounding land as soon as the owners are prepared to say exactly where it was found.

Meanwhile, three weeks after being appointed to confirm the authenticity of the stone - said to be over 7 000 carats - Ernest Blom has yet to see it.

Blom, who is President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses, has put this down to security concerns.

A cellphone image of the diamond - released on August 29, is the only "evidence" of the gem, raising questions about whether it even exists.

Blom says the man who found the diamond has been a miner for many years and would know the difference between a diamond and any other gem.

"The man fears for his life - and his family's - so the matter is very sensitive.

The safety of all the role players is of the utmost importance and has to be considered before any information is released.

- Rapport