Rare blue diamond found in South Africa

Image taken Friday Jan. 18, 2014 and made available by Petra Diamonds of a 29.6 carat blue diamond which was recovered at the Cullinan Diamond Mine near Pretoria, South Africa. AP File photo

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa—A mining company said it has found a rare blue diamond in South Africa.

Petra Diamonds says the 29.6-carat diamond came from the Cullinan mine, source of some of the world’s most famous diamonds. Cullinan lies near Pretoria, the South African capital.

Petra Diamonds said in a statement Tuesday that the diamond is a vivid blue with extraordinary tone and clarity, and could yield a polished stone of great value.

The Cullinan mine yielded the 530-carat Star of Africa blue diamond that is part of the British crown jewels.

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