Labourer's diamond sold for Rs 18.4 lakh

Panna, MP, May 1 (UNI) A 15-carat diamond has been sold here for Rs 18,44,426 amid tight security.

The gem was found in this district's Bhutiyau mining area nine months back by quarry labourer Shyamlal Luniya who would be provided the entire amount minus 12.24 per cent. Luniya had deposited the gem at the diamonds office here.

It was kept for auction twice earlier and finally purchased by a young Indore-resident businessman Rajkumar Dhruv last evening.

''I will now give a better life to my family and a good education for my child who will not work in a quarry but be a senior officer,'' said an elated Luniya.

Diamonds Officer J K Solanki said that the auctioning began on April 28 and, by the third day, 135 gems totalling 86 carat were sold for Rs 22,69,212. A total 265 diamonds -- weighing 165 carats -- were kept for auctioning and today was the last day.

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