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. 

DiamondCorp this morning revealed a sharp improvement in the grade recovered from the historic Lace Mine in South Africa.

The Kagem mine is shrewdly touted as the home of the ethically produced, carbon neutral and ecologically “green” emerald. It is also synonymous with quality. Gemfields’ auctions are becoming a magnet for increasing numbers of gemstone suppliers. Following its latest auction success, research boutique Edison has placed a 36p a share target for the stock

Stellar Diamonds (LON:STEL) received the thumbs up from brokers as they welcomed news from the diamond miner that it has begun resource drilling at its high-grade Tongo kimberlite project in eastern Sierra Leone. Analysts reckon the well-funded company should be in a position to move two of its key projects towards JORC status in the first quarter of 2012 and rate its shares a ‘buy’.

Fairfax Securities’ mining expert John Meyer expects diamond grades will improve through the remainder of the 30,000 bulk sampling programme. Importantly the analyst reckons an 11 per cent uplift in grades could generate sufficient revenue to cover the development costs for the Lace mine.

DiamondCorp has processed around 20 percent of the tonnage required for its bulk sampling programme and although it has begun with the mine's lower grade material, managing director Paul Laudon said that he is absolutely delighted’ with the quality of diamonds unearthed so far.

Firestone Diamonds (LON:FDI) attracted favourable broker comment today after it revealed it had recovered high quality diamonds from its Liqhobong mine in Lesotho. Northland, for one, believes the Firestone story is looking increasingly attractive.

Last week's emerald auction produced record sales of almost US$32 million, while highlighting just how far the company has come in a relatively short space of time. Giving us a progress report an upbeat Ian Harebottle says the market still has not grasped the true potenial of Gemfields. 

Firestone Diamonds said today that recent diamond sales and grade findings underlined its belief that its Liqhobong mine was one of the "most attractive diamond kimberlites" being developed in the industry

After a year of solid progress at its key Lace mine in South Africa, DiamondCorp is revving up for a busy period ahead as it looks to take the promising asset to full production. Broker Fairfax is certainly upbeat about the company’s prospects and reckons Lace is “one of the most interesting and exciting diamond mining prospects in the market”.

Stellar Diamonds’ £6.2 million cash call three months ago was a turning point for the company but one the market appears to have to have missed. The placing at 8 pence a share brought in a new cornerstone investor in Blackrock, and signalled the start of a very exciting phase of development for the group.

Daniel Stewart & Company (DS&C) has initiated coverage of Stellar Diamonds (LON:STEL) with a “buy” rating and a 15 pence target price, calling its projects “robustly profitable”.

Diamond miner DiamondCorp sounded a very upbeat note over a development cost review for its Lace diamond mine in South Africa. With the outlook for diamond prices strong as ever, and expectations that an increase in electricity costs will be offset by new technology to speed up processing at the mine, the company reckons margins at Lace could eventually top 70 percent.

In its ‘Morning Report’, the UK broker said the successful completion of this financing provides Stellar with the means to fast track its highly promising kimberlite assets. The cash also provides some much needed breathing space for working capital which should see the company through at least 12 months of exploration and development.

Investors may need to look more closely at growth prospects at a company level rather than relying on the momentum of the sparkling  diamond price rally. City firm Panmure Gordon reckons diamond prices are due a pause, so it's time to look out for company-specific drivers. Panmure's Alison Turner upgraded Gem Diamonds to 'buy' and here we take a forensic look at some of the market's other players in the diamond sector.

The AIM-listed diamond company emphasised that it is focused on exploring the Tongo and Droujba kimberlites in this morning's interims. Stellar plans to raise more money to unlock the potential within these projects, while diamond prices continue to rise. Northland Capital’s Andy Hanson reckons that Stellar will look to build on the success it has already had at these ‘fast-track’ projects.