200 word challenge

The cut.

He entered the room. The object was fixed into a specially crafted holder. The hordes of onlookers from the previous week were all removed. He was alone. Creeping slowly around the large stone, studying its every surface and facet. It was predominately blue, with a white glow in places. Measuring six inches square, it weighed over 600g. A creation, billions of years old discovered only three years before.

He looked at the rock from every angle, surveying smooth surfaces that gave hints to it once having been part of a larger whole. The moment was upon him. A month of ceaseless observation and measurement had come to this. A newly crafted cleaving blade was ready.

He wiped his brow. He felt the heat on his neck despite the coolness of the space. An involuntary swallow, wiping his hands on his apron. He picked up the blade and hammer. A misdirected stroke could dash this gargantuan gem to dust. The blade found the prepared groove. No time to wonder. A steady hand raised the hammer and then one sweeping motion down and the stone was smashed into nine large fragments, with countless smaller shards. The Cullinan was cut.