Botswana has discovered what is considered the world’s second-largest diamond ever found. The massive stone, weighing 2,492 carats and it was extracted from the Karowe Diamond Mine, a mining site managed by the Canadian company Lucara Diamond Corp.
Also Read: Homo Floresiensis: Fossils of Hobbit Humans Found on Indonesian’s Flores
The diamond was discovered at the Karowe Diamond Mine located approximately 500 kilometers north of Gaborone, Botswana’s capital. This mine is operated by Lucara Diamond Corp, a Canadian firm with a strong presence in the diamond mining sector.
The rough diamond weighs 2,492 carats making it the second-largest diamond ever found, surpassed only by the famed Cullinan Diamond, which weighed 3,106 carats when discovered in South Africa in 1905.
The Cullinan Diamond was cut into several stones, some of which are now part of the British Crown Jewels. The Karowe mine’s find is the largest since this discovery.
The diamond was identified using Lucara’s Mega Diamond Recovery X-ray technology, which has been in use since 2017.
This advanced technology is designed to detect and preserve high-value diamonds preventing them from breaking during the ore-crushing process.
The use of this technology has been instrumental in discovering other diamonds at the Karowe mine including a 1,758-carat diamond found in 2019 and a 1,109-carat diamond discovered in 2016.
While Lucara has not disclosed the exact value of the discovered diamond, industry insiders estimate it could be worth upwards of $40 million. This valuation is based on previous sales of large diamonds and market trends.
The 1,758-carat diamond named Sewelo was acquired by French fashion brand Louis Vuitton for an undisclosed amount.
The 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona diamond was purchased by London jeweler Laurence Graff for $53 million in 2017.
Botswana is one of the world’s leading producers of diamonds accounting for approximately 20% of global diamond production.
The largest diamond discovered in Botswana was the Sewelo diamond was found in 2019. The discovery at Karowe surpasses this and also highlights the mine’s ability to yield extraordinary stones.
The Botswana government is working on a new law that would require mining companies to sell a 24% stake in their operations to local firms if the government opts not to acquire it.
Also Read: Archaeologists Discover a 2,400-Year-Old Pot of Gold Coins in Turkey
Botswana’s President, Mokgweetsi Masisi was among the first to view the newly discovered diamond. The government has officially stated that it is the largest diamond ever discovered in the country.
The diamond was detected and recovered using Lucara’s advanced Mega Diamond Recovery (MDR) X-ray Transmission (XRT) technology. This technology has been in use since 2017 and it is designed to identify high-value diamonds.
Lucara Diamond Corp. has previously discovered several of the top ten largest diamonds including the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona, which was sold for $53 million in 2017.
While specific details about the diamond’s quality and value have not been disclosed.
The Cullinan diamond was discovered in 1905 and it was eventually cut into several stones, some of which are now part of the British royal family’s crown jewels.
The Sergio stone discovered in Brazil in 1895 was a black carbonado diamond. Although not gem-quality, it was significant due to its size and unique properties used primarily for industrial purposes.
The discovery of such a large diamond with the use of advanced technology suggests that there may be more finds in the future.
The success of Lucara’s Mega Diamond Recovery X-ray technology could lead to discoveries of high-value diamonds.
This find could influence the global diamond market affecting diamond prices and trade dynamics. The size and value of the diamond reinforce Botswana’s status as an important player in the diamond industry.
Also Read: Scientists Reveal Ancient Screaming Mummy May have Died with Pain
