A $25 million pink diamond that was stolen in an elaborate heist in Dubai has been recovered by police just a few hours later.
The “exceptionally” rare diamond was stolen from a jeweler by thieves posing as intermediaries for a prospective buyer, Dubai Police said in a statement Monday.
Weighing 21.25 carats, the large diamond “boasts exceptional clarity, symmetry, and polish,” and has a unique purity rating, said police.
Its rarity made it an attractive target for the gang, which police said had worked for more than a year to take the stone.
After tracking the diamond’s arrival in Dubai from Europe, the gang devised a “sophisticated plan,” in order to steal it. The thieves passed themselves off as wealthy dealers by renting luxury cars and holding meetings in high-end hotels. They eve