Million-dollar ring stolen in Melbourne

Staff at an exclusive Melbourne jewellery store are shattered
after the theft of a million-dollar diamond ring, described as a stunning handcrafted nine-carat round-cut solitaire.

On Sunday, a brazen thief used a distinctive hammer to smash his way through reinforced glass and snatch the ring from a window display. The man, dressed in black and wearing a black beanie, stole the piece from Hardy Brothers Jewellers in Collins St about 4.40pm.

"All our jewels are one-offs, stones that size, of that quality are made by God essentially," store manager James Baron said.

The unusual hammer, which has a yellow handle and weighs 1.8kg, is being examined by forensic experts.