Botswana has recently made headlines with the discovery of the largest diamond found in over a century. Unearthed at the Karowe Mine, this colossal 2,492-carat diamond is the second-largest ever discovered and the biggest since 1905. Botswana’s President, Mokgweetsi Masisi, unveiled the fist-sized gem to the world at a special viewing ceremony, expressing his awe at the remarkable find. Weighing approximately half a kilogram, the diamond’s significance was not lost on Masisi, who exclaimed “wow” as he held the stone and invited senior government officials to take a closer look.
The discovery of this extraordinary diamond has stirred excitement across the country, with many eager to learn its value and what will become of it. Although it’s too early to determine how the diamond will be sold, the Karowe Mine has a history of producing some of the world’s most valuable rough gems. In 2016, a smaller diamond from the same mine fetched a record-breaking $63 million. Lucara Diamond Corp., the Canadian mining company responsible for the find, shared their pride in the historic discovery, with managing director Naseem Lahri calling it “history in the making.”
The Karowe Mine, located in central Botswana, has a reputation for yielding high-quality stones. The recent discovery was made using advanced X-ray technology, which allowed the diamond to be recovered intact. William Lamb, Lucara’s President and CEO, expressed his elation over the find, noting that it is the largest diamond discovered in 119 years, second only to the famous Cullinan Diamond. The Cullinan, found in South Africa in 1905, was cut into gems that are now part of the British Crown Jewels.
Botswana, home to 2.6 million people, is the world’s second-largest producer of natural diamonds, following Russia. The country has consistently unearthed some of the largest diamonds in recent years, with the Karowe Mine playing a significant role. Previous notable finds include the Sewelo diamond, the Lesedi La Rona diamond, and The Constellation, all of which have been sold for staggering amounts. The discovery of this latest diamond further cements Botswana’s status as a leading source of the world’s most valuable gems.
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