'Second-largest' diamond in history unearthed in Botswana

A colossal 2,492-carat raw diamond has been discovered in Botswana, possibly making it the second-largest gem-quality diamond ever found. 

The Canadian mining company Lucara Diamond Corp, which operates the Karowe diamond mine, announced the recovery of the "exceptional" stone, sharing an image of the massive rough diamond cradled in a hand.

The largest gem-quality diamond on record remains the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond, unearthed in South Africa in 1905 when the country was under British rule. 

The Cullinan diamond was later presented to King Edward VII and subsequently cut into several gems, some of which are now part of the British Crown Jewels.

Lucara’s president, William Lamb, expressed his excitement about the discovery, stating, "We are thrilled with the recovery of this extraordinary 2,492-carat diamond."

While Lucara has not disclosed the value of the high-quality diamond or whether it could be cut into gemstones, the government of Botswana confirmed that this is the largest diamond ever found in the country.

The Karowe mine has consistently yielded large stones, including the 1,758-carat Sewelo diamond in 2019, which was, at the time, the world's second-largest mined diamond. 

French luxury brand Louis Vuitton acquired the Sewelo diamond for an undisclosed amount, despite its black appearance and the uncertainty surrounding the number of gems it could produce.

In 2017, the 1,111-carat Lesedi La Rona diamond, also from the Karowe mine, was sold to a British jeweler for $53 million (£40 million).

The largest diamond ever found globally is the black Sergio stone, discovered in Brazil in 1895. The Sergio stone, a black "carbonado" diamond believed to be a fragment of a meteorite, was cut into pieces for industrial use.

Though Russia is currently the world’s largest diamond producer, Botswana has become a leading source of significant finds in recent years. 

The southern African nation has been working to strengthen its position in the diamond industry, negotiating a larger share of the stones mined by De Beers, owned by Anglo-American, in a new 10-year agreement last year.

Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi is expected to be among the first to view Lucara’s newly discovered diamond, which remains unnamed, before it is officially presented to the public, according to government sources.