Massive 2,492-carat diamond unearthed in Botswana: Largest in 100 years!
A massive diamond weighing a staggering 2,492 carats has been unearthed in Botswana, making it the largest diamond ever discovered in over 100 years and the second-largest in the world. The incredible find was made at the Karowe Mine by Lucara Diamond Corp, a Canadian mining company. The firm used advanced X-ray technology to locate this high-quality diamond, underscoring Botswana's significant role in recent diamond discoveries.
The diamond weighs approximately 500 grams
The "exceptional" rough diamond was unveiled to the world at President Mokgweetsi Masisi's office. Weighing approximately half a kilogram, Masisi was among the first to hold it. The company described this diamond as "high-quality," and its weight surpasses any other diamond discovered in over a century. Lucara's Mega Diamond Recovery X-ray technology has been in use since 2017 to identify and preserve high-value diamonds so that they do not break during extraction processes. Larger diamonds often fracture during mining.
Botswana's significant role in global diamond production
Botswana is the world's second-largest producer of diamonds and has been leading major diamond discoveries in recent years. The Sewelo diamond, also from the Karowe Mine and weighing 1,758 carats, was previously recognized as the second-largest mined diamond globally before this new find. It was acquired by French fashion house Louis Vuitton for an undisclosed amount. According to the Financial Times, people close to Lucara estimated that the newly discovered 2,492-carat diamond could be worth upwards of $40 million.
