Rare blue diamond was found in a mine in South Africa. 29.6 carat gem diamond was discovered by Petra Diamonds in their Cullinan mine, about 40 km (25 miles) north-east of Pretoria, South Africa.
The "exceptional" 29.6 carat blue diamond is the latest rare stone to be found in the Cullinan mine. (Picture from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/) |
"This gem diamond is one of the most remarkable blue diamonds that ever found by Petra in Cullinan," the company said. Petra Diamonds previously discovered a blue diamond that has a weighing of 25.3 carats and has been sold U.S. $16.9 million (or approx £10.3 million or Rp. 202.9 billion) in 2013.
The Cullinan mine is famed for the production of blue diamonds. (Picture from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/) |
The most recent findings of the diamond is also expected to be sold at a high price. The company said in a statement: ‘The stone is an outstanding vivid blue with extraordinary saturation, tone and clarity, and has the potential to yield a polished stone of great value and importance.
‘Blue diamonds are among the rarest and most highly coveted of all diamonds and the Cullinan mine is the most important source of blues in the world. This stone is one of the most exceptional stones recovered at Cullinan during Petra’s operation of the mine.’
Cullinan mine is known as a producer of blue diamonds and has produced many large blue diamond that is regarded as the belle of the precious stones. Mine was acquired Petra Diamonds in 2008. The company also operates in Botswana and Tanzania.
The largest ever rough gem diamond was discovered at the Cullinan mine in 1905 and was presented to the British monarch Edward VII. The 3,106-carat stone was then cut, with two of the principal diamonds forming part of the British crown jewels - the 530-carat First Star of Africa and the Second Star of Africa at 317 carats. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BBC | METRO]