GABORONE, Botswana — Botswana says one of the largest diamonds ever found has been unearthed at one of its mines and will be put on show on Thursday.
The Botswana government believes the huge 2,492-carat stone is the second-biggest ever brought out of a mine.
Canadian mining company Lucara Diamond Corp. said in a statement Wednesday that it recovered the “exceptional” rough diamond from its Karowe Mine in Botswana. Lucara said it was a “high-quality” stone and was found intact. It was located using X-ray technology.
“We are ecstatic about the recovery of this extraordinary 2,492-carat diamond,” Lucara president and CEO William Lamb said in a statement.
The weight would make it the largest diamond found in more than 100 years and the second-largest ever dug out of a mine after the Cullinan Diamond discovered in South Africa in 1905. The Cullinan was 3,106 carats and was cut into gems, some of which form part of the British Crown Jewels.
A bigger black diamond was discovered in Brazil in the late 1800s, but it was found above ground and was believed to have been part of a meteorite.
The newly discovered diamond will be presented to the world at the office of Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, the Botswanan government said. Masisi will be one of the first to view it.
The government said it was the largest diamond found in the southern African country, which is the second-biggest producer of diamonds and has unearthed all of the world’s biggest stones in recent years. The Karowe Mine has previously produced four diamonds over 1,000 carats.
Before this discovery, the Sewelo diamond, which was found at the Karowe Mine in 2019, was recognized as the second-biggest mined diamond in the world at 1,758 carats. It was bought by French fashion house Louis Vuitton for an undisclosed amount.
The 1,111-carat Lesedi La Rona diamond, also from Botswana’s Karowe Mine, was bought by a British jeweller for $53 million in 2017.
Scientists say natural diamonds are at least a billion years old and some of them more than 3 billion years old.
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AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa
In a remarkable discovery, officials have confirmed the uncovering of a massive 2,492-carat diamond at a mine in Botswana. The diamond, which is believed to be one of the largest ever found, was unearthed at the Jwaneng mine, operated by Debswana, a joint venture between Botswana’s government and the De Beers Group.
The discovery of such a large diamond is a rare occurrence in the diamond mining industry, and it has sparked excitement and speculation among industry experts and diamond enthusiasts alike. The diamond is said to be of exceptional quality, with a high level of clarity and color, making it potentially extremely valuable.
The Jwaneng mine is known for producing some of the world’s largest and highest quality diamonds, and this latest find only adds to its reputation as a premier diamond mining operation. The mine is located in the Kalahari Desert and has been in operation since 1982, consistently producing large, high-quality diamonds.
The discovery of the 2,492-carat diamond is a testament to the skill and expertise of the miners and geologists working at the Jwaneng mine. It also highlights the importance of Botswana as a major player in the global diamond industry. The country is one of the world’s leading diamond producers, with diamonds accounting for a significant portion of its GDP.
The news of the massive diamond discovery has generated excitement not only in Botswana but also in the wider diamond industry. Experts are eagerly awaiting further details about the diamond’s size, quality, and potential value. The diamond is currently being evaluated by experts to determine its exact characteristics and potential worth.
The discovery of such a large and high-quality diamond is a rare and significant event in the world of diamond mining. It serves as a reminder of the natural wonders that lie beneath the earth’s surface and the skill and dedication of those who work to uncover them. As more details emerge about this remarkable find, it is sure to capture the attention of diamond enthusiasts around the world.
