Dubai, 11 Dec. 05 (WAM) - The very first Dubai Cut diamond hasbeen unveiled to General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister.

Each Dubai Cut diamond is laser-inscribed with a serial number,and Sheikh Mohammed was shown the stone bearing serial number0001.

The diamond, a unique and legally patented cut, has 99 facets,symbolizing the 99 holy names of Allah, and has been commissionedby the Dubai Metals and Commodities Centre (DMCC) to be createdby Kristall, the leading Russian diamond house.

The Dubai Cut was officially unveiled at a press conference inDubai on Monday. Now, with the royal seal of approval, the DubaiCut will take its place as an official symbol of Dubai, and itis likely that the diamond will be awarded to prominent citizensand to the winners of some of Dubai's world-class sporting events.

The Cut is the result of a partnership between Kristall and theDMCC. Kristall will produce some 1,800 stones per year, whichwill be marketed by a selected number of DMCC member companies.

The first Dubai Cut diamond jewellery is likely to come to marketin the first half of 2006.