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Published: September 30, 2009 3:00 a.m.

S. African mine yields 500-plus carat diamond

Associated Press
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Associated Press

Petra Diamonds CEO Johan Dippenaar holds the 507.55 carat white gem unearthed last week.

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JOHANNESBURG – 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 given yet for the diamond, which weighs slightly more than 100 grams.

The mine also produced the largest diamond ever found, at 3,106 carats in the rough. That finished stone is set as part of Britain’s Crown Jewels.