Cricket Bat-Shaped Diamond Submitted to GIA for Testing

A diamond shaped like a cricket bat was submitted to the Mumbai lab of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) for testing.

The natural diamond weighed 1.04 carats and had a light brown color, the GIA reported last week in its winter Gems & Gemology edition. The stone was partially polished, with a rough texture retained on the tip of the handle and the front part of the bat. The manufacturer intentionally kept a few rough parts to authenticate the diamond’s natural origin, the GIA explained.

Using spectroscopy, the GIA confirmed the diamond was a natural, type IIa stone, with no color treatment. It also identified a crosshatched “tatami” strain patten within the diamond.

**The diamond bearing the signature and name of cricket player Virat** ***Kohli. (Gemological Institute of America)***

The stone was a gift to celebrate the 15th anniversary in the sport of cricket player Virat Kohli, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, GIA noted. The diamond is inscribed with his name and signature. According to Indian news sources, the gift-giver is Utpal Mistry, a leading Indian diamond expert and businessman from Gujarat.