Large 83.5-carat diamond found in Yakutia
© RIA Novosti. Kirill Kallinikov

Large 83.5-carat diamond found in Yakutia

Alrosa has found a massive 83.5-carat diamond at the Aikhalsky Mining and Processing Company, Alrosa's press service reports.

"An octahedron of a semi-transparent yellow hue was discovered at Processing Plant No.14 at the Yubileinaya kimberlite pipe. The rock is approximately 24 x 15 x 17 mm," the press statement says. The diamond has some sulphide inclusions as well as olivines with tensor cracks and a pyrope in the center.

The Yubileinaya kimberlite pipe is the largest primary diamond deposit in western Yakutia, with estimated deposits valued at 95 million carats. The average concentration of diamonds in ore is 0.90 carats per ton. Considering the estimated deposits and the production quota, the pipe will be in production until at least 2035.

The Aikhalsky Mining and Processing Company operates the Yubileiny and Komskomolsky mines as well as the Aikhal underground mine. In 2016, the company produced 12.2 million carats of diamonds worth a total of $1.2 billion.

Alrosa is involved in the exploration of diamond deposits, mining and the sale of diamonds. It is the world's largest diamond production company in terms of carats mined. As of 2016, the company accounted for over 29% of global production. Alrosa produces 95% of all Russian diamonds.