Botswana Uncovers Historic 2,492-Carat Diamond, Second Largest Ever Discovered

Botswana Reveals Massive Diamond, Shaking Up the World of Gemology

Botswana has just made a dazzling addition to the world of gemology with the discovery of a colossal 2,492-carat diamond, one of the largest ever unearthed. Revealed on Thursday, this remarkable find is only surpassed in size by the legendary Cullinan Diamond, discovered in South Africa in 1905.

Canadian mining company Lucara Diamond Corp. announced the find, calling it an “exceptional” and “high-quality” stone. Found intact through advanced X-ray technology at the Karowe Mine, the diamond is a stunning reminder of nature’s ancient marvels, estimated to be over a billion years old.

Lucara President and CEO William Lamb couldn’t hide his excitement: “We are ecstatic about the recovery of this extraordinary 2,492-carat diamond,” he declared. This giant gem is the largest diamond discovered in over a century, following the Cullinan, which weighed 3,106 carats and was later cut into gems, some of which now adorn the British Crown Jewels.

While a larger black diamond was unearthed in Brazil in the late 1800s, it was thought to have originated from a meteorite, distinguishing it from this gem’s earthly origins. The newly discovered diamond was proudly showcased at Botswana’s Presidential Office, marking a significant moment for the country, which is the world’s second-largest diamond producer.

Botswana has a remarkable track record of large diamond finds, with the Karowe Mine previously yielding four diamonds over 1,000 carats. The recently discovered diamond surpasses the Sewelo diamond, a 1,758-carat gem bought by Louis Vuitton, and the 1,111-carat Lesedi La Rona, which fetched $53 million in 2017.

With diamonds of this magnitude, scientists continue to marvel at the earth’s deep history, as these natural wonders provide a glimpse into our planet’s billion-year-old past. As the gem is set to stir excitement in the gem world, it stands as a testament to both the enduring allure of diamonds and Botswana’s role as a key player in the global diamond industry.