In a recent discovery, a junior diamond mining company has unearthed a magnificent pink diamond from the banks of the mid-Orange River.

Dubbed the “Protea Pink” this jewel is a rare type II diamond weighing 29.52 carats with an unusual depth of color and outstanding clarity, reminiscent of the pink hues found in South Africa’s national flower, the protea.

The diamond’s origin can be traced back to the 90-million-year-old Lesotho kimberlites, and it is quite an exceptional journey for it to have traveled down the Orange River before being trapped in an ancient river terrace located approximately 500 km from its source.

According to Lyndon de Meillon, Vice-Chairperson of the South African Diamond Producers Organisation (Sadpo), this discovery signifies yet another win for South Africa’s diamond mining industry.

SADPO is an organization to streamline the alluvial diamond industry. To attain this goal, the Organisation must work in collaboration with other structures to serve the alluvial diamond industry in the broadest sense. SADPO’s membership consists of diamond producers, affiliated marketing entities, any landowner where alluvial mining operations are performed, social members who wish to identify and associate themselves with the diamond industry, and honorary members invited by SADPO.

Yamkela Makupula, director of Pioneer Diamond Tender House, is where the “Protea Pink” will be sold on tender in South Africa, The tender will take place during the week of 26 through 30 June 2023. They are situated at 8 Jacobs St, Schweizer-Reneke, 2780, and the contact numbers are below should you wish to tender.

The proceeds of the diamond sale will contribute to infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and other essential services in the community.

The Orange-Vaal River system is known to be the primary secondary source for alluvial diamond deposits in the Northern Cape and along the west coast of Namaqualand. The higher-order sources for diamonds contained within this system are still not defined entirely to satisfaction but certainly include kimberlite pipes exposed in the catchment regions of these rivers.

The focus of alluvial diamond mining along the OrangeVaal system recently changed from the traditional areas in the upper catchment regions—the Barkly West, Christiana, Bloemhof, Wolmaranstad, Schweizer-Reineke region, and the lower regions near the mouth of the Orange River at Baken, Alexander Bay and Oranjemund, to the area between Douglas and Prieska—the so-called mid-Orange region