World's second-largest diamond found in Botswana

In a remarkable discovery, Botswana has unveiled the second-largest diamond ever found in the world. This impressive rough diamond weighs 2,492 carats and was unearthed at the Karowe mine, which is owned by the Canadian company Lucara Diamond. This find is particularly significant as it marks the largest diamond discovery since the Cullinan diamond, which weighed an astonishing 3,106 carats and was discovered in South Africa back in 1905. The Cullinan diamond was later cut into nine separate stones, many of which are now part of the British Crown Jewels. The Karowe mine, where this new diamond was found, is located approximately 500 kilometers north of Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana. The government of Botswana has proudly announced that this diamond is the largest ever discovered within its borders. Prior to this, the largest diamond found in Botswana was a 1,758-carat stone that was also discovered at the Karowe mine in 2019. Botswana is recognized as one of the leading diamond producers in the world, and this latest discovery further solidifies its reputation in the diamond industry. Lucara Diamond has stated that this newly found stone is 'one of the largest rough diamonds ever unearthed. ' William Lamb, the CEO of Lucara, expressed his excitement about the recovery of this extraordinary diamond, stating, 'We are ecstatic about the recovery of this extraordinary 2,492 carat diamond. ' The diamond was detected using advanced technology known as Mega Diamond Recovery X-ray technology, which has been in use since 2017. This technology is designed to identify and preserve high-value diamonds, ensuring that they do not break during the ore-crushing process. While the company has not disclosed the gem quality or the potential value of this diamond, it is worth noting that the 1,758-carat diamond found in 2019 was purchased by the luxury fashion brand Louis Vuitton for an undisclosed amount. Additionally, a 1,109-carat diamond unearthed at the same mine in 2016 was sold for 53 million dollars by Laurence Graff, the chairman of Graff Diamonds, in 2017. Lucara Diamond holds 100% ownership of the Karowe mine, and the government of Botswana is currently proposing a new law that would require mining companies to sell a 24% stake to local firms if the government does not choose to become a shareholder. This move aims to ensure that local businesses can benefit from the lucrative diamond mining industry.