Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe’s successful diamond auction in Antwerp, Belgium, a fortnight ago could open floodgates of African gems to go under the hammer at the international auction.
The country’s first sale of diamonds from Marange on the international scene attracted an overwhelming response, achieving total sales of almost US$10,5 million after 279 723 carats were auctioned in a trial tender.
The authoritative diamond publication, Israel Diamond Portal, last week reported that after holding its first successful tender of diamonds from Marange, Antwerp “is keen to continue providing a platform for public sales of rough stones from the region”.
An industry publication, Diamond Intelligence, reported that Botswana-registered First Element, which conducted the sale of Zimbabwe goods, announced that it was holding the first exclusive tender of rough production from South Africa’s Jagersfontein and Rooipoort mines in Antwerp next month.
“The tender will reportedly consist of more than 400 000 carats of predominantly white goods ranging from large single stones to melees,” it said.
“The sale, to be held at the Antwerp



