At 300 karats, state’s new diamond is one apart

The third largest diamond in Russia has been sold to the State Depositary at a cost not made public but reckoned by those in the trade at millions of dollars. The stone was discovered in 2004, weighing almost 300 karats and gazed at since then by experts

State Depositary head Vladimir Rybkin said the three stones would identify Russia as one of the world's principal source of diamonds, set to play a continuing major role on the global gems market.

Rybkin called this stone one apart. It had less flaws and differed in colour, with clearer characteristics than the other two, though they had the edge on size. Its name is Creator, joining the biggest stone, discovered in 1980 and named after the 26th meeting of the Soviet Communist Party, and the second in size, named after Russia’s greatest poet, Alexander Pushkin.

Those charged with keeping the newcomer said they would not polish or change the stone. It will go on public display soon in the State Diamond Fund.