A rough diamond weighing 2,492 carats, the second-largest ever found, has been discovered in Botswana at a mine owned by the Canadian company Lucara Diamond.
This discovery marks the largest find since the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond, which was unearthed in South Africa in 1905 and later cut into nine separate stones, many of which are part of the British Crown Jewels.
The diamond was uncovered at the Karowe mine, located roughly 500km (300 miles) north of Botswana’s capital city, Gaborone.
The Botswana government announced that this diamond is the largest ever found within the country.
The previous record in Botswana was a 1,758-carat diamond, also discovered at the Karowe mine in 2019.
Botswana ranks among the world’s top diamond producers, contributing approximately 20% of the global supply.
In a statement, Lucara Diamond described the stone as “one of the largest rough diamonds ever discovered.”
Lucara’s CEO, William Lamb, expressed excitement over the recovery of this remarkable 2,492-carat diamond.
The diamond was identified using Lucara’s Mega Diamond Recovery X-ray technology, which Lamb noted has been in use since 2017 to ensure that high-value diamonds are not damaged during the ore-crushing process.
Lucara did not disclose details about the diamond’s quality or its potential value.
However, the UK-based Financial Times reported that unnamed sources close to Lucara estimated the stone’s value to be upwards of $40 million (£30.6 million).
The 1,758-carat diamond found in 2019 was purchased by the French fashion brand Louis Vuitton for an undisclosed price.
A 1,109-carat diamond, discovered at the same mine in 2016, was sold for $53 million in 2017 to London jeweller Laurence Graff, the chairman of Graff Diamonds.
Lucara Diamond holds full ownership of the Karowe mine.
Last month, Reuters reported that Botswana’s government proposed legislation requiring companies, once granted a mining license, to sell a 24% stake to local businesses if the government chooses not to take up the option of becoming a shareholder.
NANCY MBAMALU
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