Massive Pink Diamond Unearthed at Angola’s Lulo Mine
Picture this: deep in the riverbeds of Angola, miners stumble across a dazzling pink diamond so rare it rewrites the record books. That’s exactly what happened at the Lulo alluvial diamond mine, where the newly-christened Lulo Rose has made headlines. We’re talking about a 170-carat beauty—officially the biggest of its kind discovered anywhere in the world since the 1700s. If colorful gems get your heart beating faster, this one’s in a league of its own.
The discovery was made by Lucapa Diamond Company, a mining group based in Australia but with their boots firmly in Angola’s diamond-rich soil. While the mine is already famous for making big finds—like a colorless 404-carat diamond, the biggest ever found in Angola—the Lulo Rose is something else entirely. It ranks as the fifth-largest diamond ever pulled from the site, but what really sets it apart is its vibrant color. Pink diamonds are so rare that less than one in 10,000 diamonds are pink. That explains why they grab the attention (and wallets) of gem collectors and investors worldwide.
The Lulo mine isn’t new to big headlines. Over the years, it has yielded at least 27 diamonds over 100 carats, which is pretty wild if you know anything about diamond mining. Still, nothing had quite the shine of the Lulo Rose. Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Diamantino Azevedo, was quick to point out that this isn’t just about bragging rights. The discovery is proof that Angola is becoming a real heavyweight in the diamond market—a rival to the world’s traditional mining hotspots.
What Makes the Lulo Rose So Extraordinary?
Why is everyone making so much noise about this particular diamond? For starters, large pink diamonds are almost mythical in the gemstone world. The Cullinan diamond discovered in South Africa in 1905 still holds the record at 3,106 carats, but it wasn’t pink. Color makes all the difference here—pink hues are the result of unique geological forces acting on the diamond’s structure as it forms, turning carbon into a rare piece of nature’s art.
The Lulo Rose isn’t heading to a private vault just yet. The process for such a gem involves a global spotlight. Sodiam, Angola’s government-owned diamond marketing company, plans to offer the stone at an international tender. This isn’t your average eBay auction—think luxury buyers, global jewelry houses, and even national museums competing. The proceeds aren’t just feeding private pockets, either—they’re expected to inject fresh funds and energy into Angola’s mining sector, which employs thousands and pushes the country’s economy forward.
Word around the mining industry is that the Lulo Rose might only be the beginning for Angola’s diamond fields. Lucapa and its partners believe there’s more where this came from, especially as technology keeps improving and exploration digs deeper. That’s exciting news for the country, which wants to shake off old reputations and step into the limelight as a source of high-quality, spectacular stones.
With such a rare find, the future of Angola's diamond market is looking brighter—and definitely a little more pink.
