Sourcing

Petra Finds 121-Carat White Diamond at Cullinan

SourcingJun 22, 2016

Petra Finds 121-Carat White Diamond at Cullinan

The mining company discovered the Type II diamond at the mine responsible for producing the largest rough diamond ever found.

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Petra Diamonds Ltd. discovered this 121-carat Type II rough diamond at the Cullinan mine in South Africa, which still holds claim as the deposit that produced the biggest rough diamond ever found.

Cullinan, South Africa--Another day, another very large diamond.

Petra Diamonds Limited announced Tuesday that a 121.26-carat white diamond has been found at the Cullinan mine, the deposit responsible for producing some of the world’s largest and rarest diamonds.

The rough stone is a white Type II diamond, meaning it has no measurable nitrogen impurities and is of top clarity and color.

Petra stated that it will sell the diamond in the last tender of its financial year, which has commenced in Johannesburg.

Cullinan was the site of discovery of the largest rough diamond ever found, the “Cullinan Diamond,” which was dug up in 1905.

Weighing 3,106.75 carats, the stone was cut into nine polished gems, including “Cullinan 1” or the “Great Star of Africa,” which is the largest white diamond in existence at 530.4 carats, and “Cullinan 2” or the “Second Star of Africa,” which weighs 317.4 carats. Both are mounted in the Imperial State Crown, one of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.

The Cullinan mine also is famous for its blue diamonds. The 24.18-carat “Cullinan Dream” sold earlier this month for $25 million at auction. Christie’s said it was the largest fancy intense blue diamond ever to be sold at auction.

The “Cullinan Dream” was the largest polished stone cut from a 122.52-carat blue diamond mined at Cullinan in 2014.
Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

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