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The 507 carat Cullinan Heritage diamond sells for US$35.3 million

Petra Diamonds Limited is pleased to announce that the 507 carat Cullinan Heritage has today been sold for US$35.3 million, the highest sale price on record ever achieved for a rough diamond.
The diamond was sold on tender in South Africa and was purchased by Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Company Limited, Hong Kong. The purchaser has not at this stage advised Petra of their plans for the diamond.
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Petra Diamonds plans to sell a 507-carat uncut diamond from their Cullinan mine in an auction on Friday. It could sell for about $25 million.
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A 507-carat diamond, one of the biggest ever found and worth an estimated $25 million, is expected to be sold on Friday after attracting more buying interest than expected, seller Petra Diamonds said.
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The Nature of Diamonds
Prized by many cultures throughout the ages as a symbol of strength, wealth, and love, diamonds have inspired scientists, writers, and artisans for thousands of years. See nearly 800 exquisite objects, including some of the world's most stunning gemstones, that tell the story of our fascination with the beauty and power of this "King of Gems." Feast your eyes on the 128.54-carat Tiffany Diamond - one of the world's largest and finest fancy yellow diamonds - and the Incomparable Diamond- weighing in at 407.48 carats as the largest flawless diamond ever graded by the GIA and the third largest cut diamond ever recorded! Discover the seamless blend of artistry and science found in The Nature of Diamonds, at The Field Museum from October 23, 2009 through March 28, 2010.

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Giant 507 carat stone
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, 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" - Chief Executive Johan Dippenaar, noting Cullinan was the source of the world's largest gem diamond ever recovered, at 3,106 carats rough.

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