Incredible 28 carat ultra-rare white diamond discovered in an Australian mine could sell for millions of dollars at auction
- A 28 carat ultra-rare white diamond has been found in Argyle mine, WA
- The gem, named Argyle Octacia, will be auctioned in Antwerp, Belgium, this year
- The largest ever produced in the east Kimberly mine, which will close in 2020
An incredible 28 carat ultra-rare white diamond has been discovered in a Western Australian mind.
The octaedral-shaped 28.84 carat stone is one of the largest ever produced by the Rio Tinto's Argyle diamond mine, located in east Kimberley.
The gem, named Argyle Octacia, will be auctioned in Antwerp, Belgium, and could sell for millions of dollars.
The octaedral-shaped 28.84 carat white diamond (pictured) is the largest ever found in the Argyle mine
Jewellers and traders will be invited to place confidential bids on the unique diamond later this year.
General manager of Argyle Diamonds, Andrew Wilson, said: 'Argyle Octavia is unique in its size, shape and beautiful provenance.'
However, it could be one of the last diamonds produced at the mine.
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Rio Tinto's Argyle diamond mine started operating in 1983 and is due to close down in 2020.
Arnaud Soirat, chief executive of Rio Tinto's Copper and Diamonds portfolio, said finding the stone was a 'miracle.'
'We are delighted with this discovery which is a testament to the extraordinary Argyle orebody that continues to deliver these miracles of nature, even as it nears the end of mine life,' Mr Soirat said.
Rio Tinto's Argyle diamond mine (pictured) started operating in 1983 and is due to close down in 2020.
