Global production of diamonds increased 10.8% in 2010 compared to 2009, and its value soared by 45.2%, as the world economy improved and demand for diamonds restored.

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, which tracks production and trade of rough diamonds to end trade in conflict diamonds, released today the latest annual data, covering 2010.

According to the KPCS data, global diamond production in 2010 totaled 133.1 million carats worth $12 billion.

The total value of the rough jumped to more than $37 billion as it was traded in the markets, an increase of more than 51% compared to 2009.

Russia is the leading producing country by volume at 34,856,600 carats while Botswana is the leading producing country by value, $2.59 billion.

As could be expected, Lesotho's production carries the highest value, $1,816.63 per carat.