Hong Kong: The International Gemological Institute (IGI) Hong Kong recently certified what it believes is the world’s largest HPHT-grown colourless diamond, the company said in a press release. The 10.02-carat square emerald-cut stone was fashioned from a record-breaking 32.26-carat piece of man-made rough, grown by St. Petersburg-headquartered New Diamond Technology LLC, in less than 300 hours.

The laboratory certified the Type IIa stone as VS1 clarity, E colour, with a very good-excellent finish grade. This follows only two months after IGI certified a 5-carat radiant brilliant and 4-carat cushion brilliant at its Hong Kong laboratory – grown by the same company – which were then believed to be the largest man-made diamonds in existence. However, the ever-increasing speed of scientific evolution proved differently, IGI said.

Marc Brauner, co-CEO of IGI Worldwide, elaborated that the latest 10-carat stone is unique in all aspects, and that the science and technology behind the processes synthesising this stone are significantly more advanced than other man-made diamonds currently in the market. The stone’s large size, in combination with the “very high colour and breathtaking brilliance,“ will ensure it a prominent place among the pioneers in the diamond industry, according to IGI.

Tamazi Khikhinashvili, president of New Diamond Technology, commented that the company plans to unveil the diamond during JCK Las Vegas 2015.