The Letšeng mine
in Lesotho unearthed a 196 ct. rough Aug. 24.

Mine owner Gem
Diamonds noted that the stone has evidenced high color and clarity. Analysts estimated
to Bloomberg it may fetch more than $100 million. 

Since Gem
Diamonds’ acquired the Letšeng mine in mid 2006, it has produced three of the
world’s twenty largest recorded diamonds, including the 603 ct. Lesotho
Promise, recovered in August 2006, which sold for $12.4 million; the 493 ct.
Letšeng Legacy, recovered in September 2007, which sold for $10.4 million; and
the 478 ct. Light of Letšeng, recovered in September 2008, which sold for $18.4
million.

JCK