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For Immediate Release MILLENNIUM SAPPHIRE SET TO BREAK WORLD RECORD FOR LARGEST SAPPHIRE CARVING Massive 61,500 carat sapphire carving honors humanity's greatest examples of ingenuity and accomplishment Burnaby, British Columbia, January 8, 2001 -The Millennium Sapphire has rocked the gem world with a challenge to the record as the worldıs largest carved sapphire. Gubelin Gem Lab has certified the sapphire at 12.3 Kg (over 27 lbs) and approximately 28 cm x 19 cm x 15 cm. Weighing in at 61,500 carats, the Millennium Sapphire is over 8,000 carats larger than the current record holder, according to Guinness World Records, Ltd. The Millennium Sapphire has been entered to contend for the title as largest sapphire carving in the world. "It's overwhelming," said Christian Dunaigre, with Gubelin Gem Lab, Lucerne, Switzerland. "At first I met the news with disbelief. I had problems in believing it actually existed. It's the biggest I have ever seen-the size is exceptional," he said. The rough sapphire was discovered in Madagascar in 1995 and weighed 17.97 Kg. Daniel McKinney, head of the original consortium that owned the sapphire, decided to keep the gem intact and produce a finished carving that would maintain the sapphire's exceptional size. "We wanted to enhance value and beauty of this rare stone. We selected award-winning Italian designer, Alessio Boschi, to create a monument to human achievement and ingenuity," said Daniel McKinney. "The Millennium Sapphire features carvings of many culture' icons of philosophy, science, law, human rights, literature, art, music, sports, and performing arts." The Millennium Sapphire will be unveiled on January 24, 2001 in Fort Worth, Texas. About the Millennium Sapphire The Millennium Sapphire is the world's largest sapphire carving. For more information, visit www.millenniumsapphire.com, email info@millenniumsapphire.com or call Terry Minke (940) 464-3447 to request a press kit. Note: Guinness World Records, Ltd. and Gubelin Gem Lab are the property of their respective owners. MEDIA CONTACT: Terry Minke World Marketing Consultants Group tminke1@airmail.net www.millenniumsapphire.com Voice: (940) 464-3447 Fax: (940) 240-1229 |
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