Mining Weekly quotes Rockwell Diamonds’ announcement that in its diamond sale held in the middle of November it achieved an average price of $1,434 per carat. This constitutes an increase of some 20% over the average price achieved in July.

Diamond sales and revenues since the beginning of 2009 were composed of various factors including a combination of tenders, direct sale of select diamonds to certain manufacturers, sales to the South African State Diamond Trader, and income from special diamonds beneficiated according to Rockwell’s agreement with the Steinmetz Diamond Group (SDG).

Rockwell President and CEO John Bristow noted: “These results from the latest diamond sales are most encouraging. We had some excellent colored stones ,which helped to increase the overall average diamond price but also saw a general firming on prices for our full run-of-mine production.”

He added: “Importantly, our overall average diamond sales value for fiscal 2009 year to date is $977 per carat, which is tracking our breakeven point of about $1 000 per carat.”

Rockwell stated that the most recent sale included production recovered from the Saxendrift, Holpan and Klipdam diamond mines.

The diamond sales in November included 39 stones in the 10 carat to 20 carat range, 13 stones in the 20 carat to 30 carat range, and three stones exceeding 100 carats.

Rockwell noted a general improvement in average prices for all ranges of diamonds. Demand for rough diamonds in the 1carat to 10 carat range remains strong, with the strongest buying focused on the 2 carat to 5 carat market segment. The diamond company noted that the prices for 3 carat rough diamonds have been “extremely strong” since March. There has also been a slight firming in price for diamonds exceeding 10 carats.