A stunning 2,492-carat diamond, the second largest ever discovered, has been unearthed in Botswana, according to an announcement by Canadian mining company Lucara Diamond on Thursday.
Found at the Karowe diamond mine in northeastern Botswana, the diamond was identified using advanced X-ray detection technology. Lucara has not yet provided an estimated value for the gem, which is only surpassed in size by the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond discovered in South Africa in 1905.
Lucara president William Lamb expressed excitement over the find, calling it “one of the largest rough diamonds ever unearthed.” The diamond, which is approximately the size of a palm, was presented to Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who hailed it as the largest diamond discovered in the country to date.
Botswana, a major diamond producer, relies heavily on diamond mining, which contributes significantly to its GDP and export revenues. The discovery highlights the country’s continued prominence in the global diamond industry.
Lucara’s Mega Diamond Recovery X-ray technology, implemented in 2017, played a crucial role in detecting and preserving this extraordinary find. This latest discovery follows the 1,758-carat Sewelo diamond, also found at the Karowe mine in 2019, and a 1,174-carat diamond discovered in 2021.
The diamond mining sector has faced challenges from lab-grown stones and reduced consumer spending, but Masisi emphasized the importance of maximizing the value of such rare finds. Reports suggest the diamond could be worth upwards of $40 million.
