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Biggest Diamond In The Universe

Elizabeth Taylor eat your heart out.

Scientists believe they have discovered the largest diamond known to mankind, estimated at around 10 billion trillion trillion carats.

The problem is the gem in question is around 50 light years from Earth.

Astronomers believe it is the super-compressed heart of an old star, which has burnt out and become a 1,500-kilometre-wide lump of crystallised carbon.

The statistics on Lucy are impressive - it is estimated to be 10 billion trillion trillion carats.

By comparison, those here on Earth are mere baubles.

The biggest ever found here was a very modest 3,100 carats.

Lucy, meanwhile, is 1,500 kilometres from end to end or an awful lot of engagement rings, necklaces and earrings.

"You can see every female listener's eyes going into orbit as you give that carat figure," Mr Ford said.

Read Story: Diamond Lucy in the sky. 18/02/2004. ABC News Online