'Mega-diamond': No ruling soon
2007-08-29 16:28
Johannesburg - Verification of the large "diamond" claimed to have been found in the North West this week could take a few weeks, a shareholder of the company laying claim to it was reported as saying on Wednesday.
Brett Jolly told Associated Press: "It's totally unbelievable. You just don't expect this kind of thing to happen."
He said the 7 000 carat light green stone was found at the company's mine on Monday afternoon.
He had been inundated with calls from various people expressing interest, but first had to consult with shareholders before a decision could be made.
It would take days, possibly weeks to verify it.
Alyson King, a spokesperson for the European Commission's Kimberley Process secretariat, which aims to remove "conflict diamonds" from the market said: "Although we have seen news reports relating to this stone, we have no independent information regarding it.
"A Kimberley Certificate is only required at the point of export.
"National authorities in the country of mining are responsible for ensuring that rough diamonds comply with all Kimberley Process requirements (that they are conflict-free) before issuing such a certificate.
"That determination would only be made if and when the stone, if it turns out to be a rough diamond, is presented for export to the South African authorities," she said.
Gemologist Les Milner said the industry was still waiting for further information on the stone.
- SAPA