Mouse Diamond: Big Diamond discovery in Guinea. Well call it luck or a gateway to adversity. A young miner scourging the West African forests of Guinea stumbled upon a 182 carat stone. Four times the size of the famous Hope Diamond, these staggering figures would have made any person proud of his discovery. But far from taking pride in his discovery our young 25 year old miner has gone into hiding.

Reason: Everyone within close proximity of the stone starting with the Government of Guinea to the local traders and masses wants their pound of flesh. This resulted in the Diamond being tucked away deep in the vaults of Guinea's Central Bank. No Pictures and No Comments were the one liners used by everyone.

Mining Industry officials confirmed that though the newly dug stone was not flawless, it was well worth a fortune in its rough state. Guinea's biggest Diamond operators Aredor mining company say that the find is worth millions of dollars. Roughly shaped in a form similar to a computer mouse the Guinea gem is 10 cm from tip to tip on its longest side and 3 cm wide. Compared to this gem the famed Hope Diamond stands at a mere 45.52 carats.

Such freelance discoveries have always brewed trouble in Diamond rich West and Central African States. These discoveries serve to put the finders and first-round buyers challenging would be moneymakers in fast buck frenzies. Finders are known to flee into exile rather than bringing their wares into open market. Going back to 2000 in Congo, the discovery of a 265 carat stone resulted in its local buyer and finder being jailed for one month. The stone was eventually auctioned off in Israel for $13 to $20 million.

Discussing on condition of anonymity, officials and diplomats disclosed that the miner struck his shovel on the stone at a dig in southeast Guinea, bordering Ivory Coast and Liberia. It was clear however that the stone did not stay for long in the hands of the finder. It soon found its way in no time to the capital, Conakry, where it was kept behind steel doors at the guarded Central Bank. "The finder had no choice but to hand it over. Fearing his life" said a western diplomat stationed in the capital. Most people are reluctant to give the whereabouts of the young miner.

Ore and Gold along with Diamonds are among the top exports of Guinea. Although it is resource rich, Guinea is virtually undeveloped where people survive on less than a dollar a day. The biggest player , Aredor mining company uses high dollar valued , heavy equipment and turns up about an average of 30,000 carats each year.

On the contrary small scale miners like our young bastion with little more than just a shovel produce 300 to 400 carats a year. The 182 carat stone was discovered at a site owned by the government and leased to the miners. Discussing on condition of anonymity, officials and diplomats disclosed that the miner struck his shovel on the stone at a dig in southeast Guinea, bordering Ivory Coast and Liberia. It was clear however that the stone did not stay for long in the hands of the finder. It soon found its way in no time to the capital, Conakry, where it was kept behind steel doors at the guarded Central Bank.

"The finder had no choice but to hand it over. Fearing his life" said a western diplomat stationed in the capital. Most people are reluctant to give the whereabouts of the young miner.

Ore and Gold along with Diamonds are among the top exports of Guinea. Although it is resource rich, Guinea is virtually undeveloped where people survive on less than a dollar a day. The biggest player , Aredor mining company uses high dollar valued , heavy equipment and turns up about an average of 30,000 carats each year.

On the contrary small scale miners like our young bastion with little more than just a shovel produce 300 to 400 carats a year. The 182 carat stone was discovered at a site owned by the government and leased to the miners.