Lesotho-based Firestone Diamonds (FDI:AIM) has recommenced diamond sales with a bang.

Shareholders have been without production for three years while Firestone raised a large amount of money and built a new processing plant at its Liqhobong mine.

Production recommenced in late 2016 and the first batch of diamonds have now been sold for prices up to 30% higher than expected, according to investment bank Mirabaud.

Firestone generated $8.14m revenue including more than $1m for a single stone. The range included a number of yellow diamonds.