2M POUNDS GEM STOLEN IN RAID

DIAMONDS estimated to be worth pounds 8 million - including one flawless, heart-shaped stone valued at pounds 2 million - were stolen yesterday in an armed raid in central London. www.linksoflondonhut.co.uk 
Three men with handguns ransacked a safe at Graff jewellery manufacturers in Hatton Garden, the centre of the capital's jewell ery industry links of london.
The pounds 2-million diamond weighs 25.78 carats and is the size of a pounds 1 coin.
According to trade experts, it would lose its unique appeal if it were cut up to be sold.
The robbers are thought to have missed another gem worth more than pounds 2 million Links of London Necklaces.
Dressed in dark clothes and wearing stocking masks, the raiders entered the workshop at around 8am.
They threatened and handcuffed four members of staff, including the company director, Raymond Graff, brother of Laurence Graff, the firm's owner.
Within five minutes the gang had scooped stones and completed works of jewellery into a bag and made off Classic 18ct Gold Maple Leaf Charm
It is believed that the robbers entered the premises through the front door, evading an elaborate alarm system which includes sensors and beams.
Other staff arriving at the workshop freed the four handcuffed staff, believed to be three women and a man.
Graff manufactures jewellery for the Graff jewellery shop in Knightsbridge, west London.
Laurence Graff, known as the king of diamonds, appealed for the return of the heart-shaped diamond, which he ownsStar of David Charm .
"It would be a very difficult stone to recut," he said.
A police spokesman said Hatton Garden was busy at the time of the raid and appealed for witnesses. Police, some of them armed, searched the area.
Scotland Yard ruled out any link between yesterday's robbery and another in March, when a gang stole gems valued at pounds 3 million from the Graff diamond shop in Knightsbridge after entering through a hole in the wall.