Zimbabwe Institutes Mandatory Diamond Cleaning in Bid to Increase Auction Prices

(IDEX Online News) – In an attempt to increase auction prices, the government of Zimbabwe has instituted a mandatory system requiring local diamonds to be cleaned before sale.

According to Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa, the move could improve prices by 10-20 percent per carat, reported allafrica.com.

To carry out the cleaning, the government has established the state-owned Zimbabwe Boiling Facility.

"Now that we have this facility, it is now mandatory for all diamonds produced in Zimbabwe to be cleaned before auctioning,” said Chidhakwa, who argued that the move will save money as producers have been sending them outside of the country for cleaning.