（每日一读）2014年1月高考英语考前突破 阅读理解能力 文化教育 南非发现一颗29.6克拉蓝钻.docVIP

南非发现一颗29.6克拉蓝钻 A rare blue diamond has been discovered in a mine in South Africa. 一颗罕见的蓝钻石在南非一处矿井中被发现。 The exceptional 29.6 carat blue diamond is the latest rare stone to be found in the Cullinan mine ? The 29.6-carat stone was recovered by Petra Diamonds at its Cullinan mine, about 40km (25 miles) north-east of Pretoria. ? This stone is one of the most exceptional stones recovered at Cullinan during Petras operation of the mine, the company said. ? Petra unearthed a 25.5 carat blue diamond which sold for $16.9m in 2013. Class of its own ? The latest discovery is also expected to sell for a high price. ? The stone is an outstanding vivid blue with extraordinary saturation, tone and clarity, and has the potential to yield a polished stone of great value and importance, Petra said in a statement on Tuesday. ? Cullinan mine has produced hundreds of large stones and is famed for its production of blue diamonds - among the rarest and most highly coveted of all diamonds. ? The mine was acquired in 2008 by Petra Diamonds, which also operates in Botswana and Tanzania.? ? A similar 26.6-carat blue rough diamond discovered by the company in May 2009 was cut into a near perfect stone and fetched just under $10m at a Sothebys auction.? ? Another deep-blue diamond from Cullinan was auctioned for $10.8m in 2012 and set a world record for the value per carat.? ? In 1905, the renowned Star of Africa blue diamond - the worlds second largest cut diamond - was discovered at the Cullinan mine.? ? The pear-shaped 530-carat stone was presented to King Edward VII and became part of the British crown jewels. 1