Increased demand for Gemfield’s emeralds and improving production rates are helping to position the company for ongoing growth, heavyweight broker JP Morgan Cazenove said today.

This agreement marks a significant milestone in DiamondCorp's transition from developer to producer, and is bang in line with management's efforts to find a financing method which is the least dilutive for shareholders of the company.

Following today's update from the firm, Dr Ryan Long, at broker Northland, highlighted that it was "positive" the company was continuing to find large diamonds.

Firestone Diamonds described first quarter production from its Liqhobong Mine in Lesotho as “good” as it revealed it uncovered an unbroken 74 carat yellow gem.

Following on from hugely successful presentations in Dublin and Manchester, the Proactive Investors Big Top will be pitched in London on May 10th to showcase four of our very best growth companies.

Northland Capital says Stellar Diamonds' £2 million placing highlights investor confidence in the company's remaining programmes.

Gemfields’ revival has been impressive but the process of restoring emeralds, rubies and sapphires to their former glory has only just begun, according to its boss. 

Sierra Leone's Ministry of Mines claims the company's two licences in the Kono district should not have been renewed. Stellar disputes this and is seeking clarification.

There has been steady newsflow from emerging diamond producer DiamondCorp recently, including the validation of its longstanding $50 million (£31 million) project to reopen the Lace mine in South Africa’s Free State province. We find out more on the future plans of this mining junior.

Paul Loudon, chief executive of DiamondCorp, is preparing to talk to banks, project financiers and potential rough diamond buyers. It comes after an independent engineering report gave the green light to the company’s longstanding $50 million (£31 million) project to reopen the Lace mine in South Africa’s Free State province.

Shares in DiamondCorp spiked almost 10 per cent after an independent assessment endorsed its plans for the Lace diamond mine in South Africa. The engineering report compiled by outside consultants SRK found the company’s proposed block cave scheme was the most “appropriate” way of mining Lace.

Coloured stones specialist Gemfields has laid the foundations for a record year, JP Morgan Cazenove said today. Analyst Alexander Mees said he expected a “significant uplift” in production at the Kagem emerald mine in Zambia now a waste movement programme has been completed.

Gemfields said its performance in the three months to December 31 marked a period of transition which should improve production in the medium-term.

City heavyweight JP MorganCazenove initiated coverage of Gemfields today with an overweight recommendation and a 38 pence-a-share price target.

Stellar Diamonds this morning delivered what it described as “encouraging” results from the first phase of its bulk sampling programme at the Droujba kimberlite pipe in Guinea. The initial grade has been calculated at 60 carats per hundred tonnes, which includes stones at 13.8 carats, 6.06 carats, 3.75 carats and 2.9 carats.

Chief executive Karl Smithson described the bulk sampling results as excellent. The company also confirmed the project is on track for a maiden resource statement by the end of this quarter.

Botswana Diamonds combines three outstanding opportunities in one neatly wrapped package, including exposure to the premier address for diamond exploration, namely Botswana.

Recent falls in the average price of diamonds in the UK should not deter investors in Stellar Diamonds and Petra Diamonds says broker Northland Capital.

Charles Stanley has initiated coverage on DiamondCorp with an ‘add’ recommendation and an 11.5 pence price target – which is almost double the current share price.

Richland Resources revealed this morning that KGK Group has been added to the company’s exclusive list of cutters and jewellery makers that receive the company’s tanzanite gemstones. The news came as the group revealed it sold 573,771 carats in the third quarter for a total of US$4.7 million.

Richland Resources revealed this morning that KGK Group has been added to the company’s exclusive list of cutters and jewellery makers that receive the company’s tanzanite gemstones. The news came as the group revealed it sold 573,771 carats in the third quarter for a total of US$4.7 million – up almost a quarter on the same period last year.

Analysts this morning applauded DiamondCorp’s decision to raise just over £2 million from investors – a move which will allow it concentrate on pulling in the project finance required to develop the Lace Mine in South Africa. 

House broker Northland Capital Partners noted that the firm has substantial resources to progress its two key projects this year, and that these have “not been reflected in the valuation which is discounting little or no success”

The company's tweaked plans for the historic Lace Mine in South Africa and updated economics received a cautious welcome this morning.

DiamondCorp said this morning bulk sampling on South Africa’s Lace Mine has underlined its economic viability.

Today, in its interim results statement, the group said it has made significant steps towards its goal of becoming a long-term diamond producer. Fairfax mining analyst John Meyer reckons DiamondCorp will move onto its next phase of development in the coming weeks as it confirms the diamond grades from Lace kimberlite pipe.

In an interview with Proactive Investors, Firestone chairman Phillip Kenny stressed that the disappointing outcome of the August auction was merely a case of bad timing, rather than a return to the dark days of the 2008 financial crisis, in which the diamond market ground to a complete halt.

Last month’s sparkling set of interims from Richland Resources reflected the root and branch transformation of the gemstones group under chief executive Bernard Olivier. The process has been aided by a buoyant market for its wares, but has required plenty of self help as Olivier and his team have stamped down hard on costs.