Ashton assays

Press, 2 August 1979, Page 18

Ashton assays

NZPA . Sydney A “small” sample of diamonds from the Ashton jointventure has yielded a higher proportion of gem-quality stones than stones for industrial use. European specialists have examined two parcels of diamonds — one of 880 carats from “Pipe A,” and the other of 1220 carats from “Pipe B,” which were collected from bulk sampling at Ellendale, in the Kimberley area of Western Australia.

In the parcel from Pipe A, 60 per cent of the diamonds, by weight, were classified as suitable for cutting into gems, about 3 per cent were suitable for industrial use only, and the balance was a mixture of lower’ quality gem and industrial-use grades. Pipe B yielded 60 per cent cuttable diamonds, 13 per cent suitable for industrial use only, and the balance a mixture of gem and industrial grades. The findings were announced by Conzinc Riotinto of Australia, Ltd, the operator of the Ashton diamond venture. C.R.A. indicated that the diamonds from Pipe A had a potential present-day market value of $U577,440, and those from Pipe B a value of $68,320. “The sizes of the parcels under examination were only about one-fifth of the parcel size normally required to indicate what the average value of diamonds in a pipe may prove to be. “This qualification was also stressed by all of the evaluators when commenting upon the parcels,” C.R.A. said. “The actual value of individual stones will vary depending upon the size, colour, quality, and shape. No assessment of individual diamonds was obtained,” it said.