How large was the diamond in Britains Imperial Scepter in its raw form?”
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Petra Diamonds Ltd. says a diamond the size of a chicken egg has been found at South Africa’s Cullinan mine. The diamond may be among the world’s top 20 high-quality gems. It was discovered Thursday at the mine northeast of Pretoria, South Africa. Johan Dippenaar, the company’s chief executive said in a statement Tuesday that the 507.55-carat gem was of “exceptional color and clarity.” No value has been give yet for the diamond, which weighs just over 100 grams. The mine also produced the largest diamond ever found, the Cullinan, at 3,106 carats in the rough. That finished stone is set in Britain’s Imperial Scepter as part of the Crown Jewels.
AIM-listed Petra Diamonds (PDL.L) said on Tuesday it had recovered one of the world’s 20 largest, high-quality white diamonds at the Cullinan mine in South Africa. The massive 507.55 carat diamond, found on Sept. 24, could be worth about $20 million, and is expected to cover costs at the mine for two years, Finance Director David Abery said. “Initial examinations indicate that it is of exceptional colour and clarity,” Petra Diamonds said, adding it was found alongside other large white diamonds of 168 carats, 58.50 carats and 53.30 carats. “The Cullinan mine has again given the world a spectacularly beautiful and important diamond,” said Chief Executive Johan Dippenaar, noting Cullinan was the source of the world’s largest gem diamond ever recovered, at 3,106 carats rough. Petra Diamonds, which also announced its full-year results, said mining profit had fallen, but it was geared for growth as the diamond market showed signs of recovery. Earlier this year diamond prices dropped by up t
Petra Diamonds Ltd. says a diamond the size of a chicken egg has been found at South Africa’s Cullinan mine. The diamond may be among the world’s top 20 high-quality gems. It was discovered Thursday at the mine northeast of Pretoria, South Africa. Johan Dippenaar, the company’s chief executive said in a statement Tuesday that the 507.55-carat gem was of “exceptional color and clarity.” No value has been give yet for the diamond, which weighs just over 100 grams. The mine also produced the largest diamond ever found, the Cullinan, at 3,106 carats in the rough. That finished stone is set in Britain’s Imperial Scepter as part of the Crown Jewels.
