The largest diamond discovered in over a century and the second largest ever dug out of a mine has been unearthed in Botswana. The gem, which is roughly the size of a human fist, clocks in at a jaw-dropping 2,492-carats and is likely worth upwards of nine-digits.
The diamond, which has yet to be named, was found using X-ray technology by Lucara Diamond Corp in the Karowe Diamond Mine in northeastern Botswana. It's one of four other diamonds weighing over 1,000 carats that the Karowe Mine has produced in the last decade alone, with a smaller rough diamond from the mine selling for a record $63 million in 2016. However, officials say it's too early to appraise value the stone or determine how it would be sold.
Lucara Diamond announce the recovery of an exceptional 2,492 carat diamond from its Karowe Diamond Mine in Botswana. This remarkable find, one of the largest rough diamonds ever unearthed, was detected & recovered by the Company's Mega Diamond Recovery X-ray Transmission Tech. pic.twitter.com/6E8wLwwl8d
— Botswana (@Botswana) August 22, 2024
Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi debuted the stone to the world at a viewing ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 22, and was likewise one of the first people to be permitted to hold it.
“It is overwhelming. I am lucky to have seen it in my time,” Masisi said of the diamond, which weighs approximately half a kilogram. According to the Associated Press, he also gasped and said "wow" before summoning over senior government officials to take a closer look.
Lucara Diamond head William Lamb said in a statement that the company was "ecstatic" about the historic discovery of the extraordinary diamond.
"This find not only showcases the remarkable potential of our Karowe Mine, but also upholds our strategic investment in cutting-edge XRT technology," Lamb said. "The ability to recover such a massive, high-quality stone intact demonstrates the effectiveness of our approach to diamond recovery and our commitment to maximizing value for our shareholders and stakeholders."
"This discovery reinforces Karowe's position as a truly world-class diamond mine and highlights the continued success of our operational and underground development strategy," he added.
The largest diamond ever unearthed, the Cullinan Diamond, was mined in South Africa nearly 120 years ago in 1905. The 3,106 carat stunner was cut down into gems that became part of the British Crown Jewels. The largest, named Cullinan I, it is the largest clear cut diamond in the world at 530.4 carats, and is mounted in the head of the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross.
Prior to the discovery of the yet-to-be named diamond, the second-largest diamond in the world was the 1,758-carat Sewelo diamond, also found at the Karowe Mine in 2019. It was sold to the French fashion house Louis Vuitton for an undisclosed amount.
