Botswana Officials Announce Discovery of 2nd Largest Diamond Ever

Gaborone, Botswana — In a remarkable discovery, one of the largest diamonds ever found has been unearthed from a mine in Botswana, set to be showcased on Thursday. The Botswana government has declared that this enormous 2,492-carat gemstone is not only the largest ever discovered in the nation but also ranks as the second-largest diamond ever extracted from a mine worldwide.

Canadian mining company Lucara Diamond Corp. announced on Wednesday that it successfully recovered this “exceptional” rough diamond from its Karowe Mine located in western Botswana. According to Lucara, the stone is of “high-quality” and was found intact, thanks to advanced X-ray technology employed during the recovery process.

This extraordinary weight positions the diamond as the largest discovered in over a century and only trails the iconic Cullinan Diamond, which was uncovered in South Africa in 1905. The Cullinan Diamond weighed in at 3,106 carats and was famously cut into various gems, some of which are now part of the British Crown Jewels.

A photo provided by Lucara Diamond Corp. illustrates the astonishing 2,492-carat diamond extracted from the Karowe Mine in Botswana. The visual highlights the gem’s impressive size and quality.

William Lamb, President and CEO of Lucara, expressed his excitement regarding this monumental find. “This discovery not only showcases the remarkable potential of our Karowe Mine but also reinforces our strategic investment in state-of-the-art X-ray transmission (XRT) technology. Recovering such a massive, high-quality stone intact illustrates the effectiveness of our diamond recovery methods and our dedication to enhancing value for our shareholders and stakeholders,” he stated in the company’s announcement. He also emphasized that this find strengthens Karowe’s reputation as a truly premier diamond mine.

Interestingly, while a larger black diamond was discovered in Brazil during the late 1800s, it was found on the surface and is believed to have originated from a meteorite, making this recent find unique in its geological context.

Botswana stands as the second-largest producer of diamonds in the world, with a significant track record of unearthing some of the planet’s biggest stones in recent years. Each significant find not only enhances Botswana’s cachet as a diamond-rich nation but also highlights the high-caliber mining operations conducted there.

Prior to this remarkable discovery, the Sewelo diamond, found at the Karowe Mine in 2019, held the title of the second-largest mined diamond globally, weighing in at 1,758 carats. This diamond was subsequently purchased by the French luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton for an undisclosed amount.

Additionally, the 1,111-carat Lesedi La Rona diamond, also extracted from the Karowe Mine, made headlines in 2017 when it was acquired by a British jeweller for an impressive sum of $53 million. These historical discoveries have contributed to Botswana’s reputation as a leader in the diamond industry.

The unveiling of the 2,492-carat diamond is anticipated to garner substantial interest from both the public and investors, offering a glimpse into the remarkable treasures still found deep beneath the Earth’s surface. Each find not only contributes to our understanding of geology but also reflects the potential economic benefits for the region as a whole.

The fascination surrounding diamonds continues to captivate the world, making each extraordinary discovery a noteworthy event. As Botswana displays its latest unearthed wonder, the legacy of diamond mining in the country grows even more illustrious.