Botswana has unearthed a colossal 2,492-carat diamond, marking the second-largest ever discovered in a mine. The gem, recovered from the Karowe Mine, has been hailed as an "exceptional" find by Lucara Diamond Corp., the Canadian mining company operating the site.
The diamond, found intact and deemed "high-quality," was unearthed using X-ray technology. Lucara President and CEO, William Lamb, expressed his delight at the discovery, stating, "We are ecstatic about the recovery of this extraordinary 2,492-carat diamond."
The previous record holder for the largest diamond mined was the Cullinan Diamond, unearthed in South Africa in 1905, weighing in at a staggering 3,106 carats. The Cullinan was subsequently cut into several smaller gems, some of which now adorn the British Crown Jewels.
This latest discovery marks the second time in recent years that Botswana, already the world's second-largest diamond producer, has unearthed the largest gem globally. In 2019, the 1,758-carat Sewelo diamond was mined at Karowe. This diamond, recognized as the second-largest ever found at the time, was acquired by French fashion house Louis Vuitton for an undisclosed sum.
The Karowe Mine has a history of yielding exceptional stones. In 2017, the mine produced the 1,111-carat Lesedi La Rona diamond, which was sold to a British jeweller for $53 million.
The 2,492-carat diamond will be presented to the world at the office of Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi. The President will be among the first to view the remarkable find.
Botswana's consistent discovery of record-breaking diamonds highlights its significant role in the global diamond trade. The country's reputation for producing high-quality stones continues to attract international attention, solidifying its position as a leading source of these precious gems.
