Massive 2,492-Carat Diamond Discovered in Botswana, Second Largest in History

In Summary

• A 2,492-carat diamond, the world's second-largest, has been discovered in Botswana at the Karowe Diamond Mine.
• The diamond was unearthed by Lucara Diamond Corp using advanced X-ray technology designed to detect and preserve large stones.
• Botswana, a leading diamond producer, relies heavily on diamond mining, which accounts for 30% of its GDP and 80% of its exports.

Gaborone, Botswana – A colossal 2,492-carat diamond, now the second-largest diamond ever discovered, was recently unearthed in Botswana's Karowe Diamond Mine. The remarkable find was announced on Thursday by Lucara Diamond Corp, the Canadian mining company responsible for the discovery.

Using state-of-the-art X-ray technology, the diamond was detected and extracted without breaking, highlighting the advancements in diamond recovery processes. Lucara’s Mega Diamond Recovery X-ray technology, installed in 2017, played a crucial role in identifying and preserving this massive gem.

"We are ecstatic about the recovery of this extraordinary 2,492-carat diamond," Lucara President William Lamb stated. The company has not yet disclosed the diamond's value or quality, but in terms of sheer size, the stone is second only to the legendary 3,016-carat Cullinan Diamond, discovered in South Africa in 1905.

Images released by Lucara reveal the diamond to be as large as the palm of a hand, showcasing its impressive size. The stone is one of the largest rough diamonds ever unearthed, further cementing Botswana's reputation as a major player in the global diamond industry.

Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi was shown the diamond shortly after its discovery. The government confirmed that it is the second-largest diamond in the world, a significant moment for the Southern African nation, which is one of the world’s largest diamond producers. Diamonds are a critical component of Botswana’s economy, accounting for 30% of its gross domestic product (GDP) and 80% of its exports.

Tobias Kormind, managing director of 77 Diamonds, Europe’s largest online diamond jeweller, confirmed the significance of the find. “This discovery is largely thanks to newer technology that allows larger diamonds to be extracted from the ground without breaking into pieces. So we will likely see more where this came from,” Kormind said.

The discovery comes at a time when Botswana is considering new legislation to strengthen its stake in the diamond industry. Last month, the country proposed a law that would require mining companies, once granted a license, to sell a 24% stake in mines to local investors unless the government opts to acquire the shareholding itself.

This latest find surpasses the previous record for the largest diamond discovered in Botswana, a 1,758-carat stone also mined by Lucara at the Karowe site in 2019, named Sewelo. Lucara also unearthed a 1,174-carat diamond in 2021 using the same X-ray technology.