Massive 2,492-carat raw diamond unearthed in Botswana, second-largest ever

A Canadian firm has just discovered a 2,492-carat raw diamond in a Botswana mine, which many believe could be the second-largest gem quality to ever have been unearthed. Lucara Diamond Corp, the mining company, said it discovered the “exceptional” stone from the Karowe diamond mine.

According to media reports, the diamond could be second only to the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond, which was mined in South Africa in 1905 when it was still a British colony. The diamond was then gifted to UK King Edward VII. It is now a part of the Crown Jewels.

Lucara President William Lamb in a statement said, “We are ecstatic about the recovery of this extraordinary 2,492-carat diamond.”

Botswana's government also reacted to the rare discovery, calling it the biggest diamond ever found in the country. The diamond was set to be presented to the world at the office of Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, the government said in a statement.

However, it is not clear what the value of thehigh-quality diamond is.

ABC News reported that the diamond was the “largest diamond found in more than 100 years and the second-largest ever dug out of a mine.”

It must be noted that a bigger black diamond was discovered in Brazil back in the late 1800s but it was foundabove ground and thought to be a part of a meteorite.

Karowe diamond mine is known for its massive diamond discoveries. Back in 2019, the Sewelo diamond was discovered in the mine, which was recognised as the second-biggest mined diamond in the world at 1,758 carats. French fashion house Louis Vuitton later bought it.

Earlier, the 1,111-carat Lesedi La Rona diamond was also discovered from the mine, and it was later bought by a British jeweller for $53 million.

(With inputs from agencies)