Second-largest diamond ever found, 2,492 carats, unearthed in Botswana

A 2,492-carat stone unearthed in Botswana is the second-largest diamond ever found in the world and the biggest ever recovered in the African nation, according to the Botswanan government.

Canadian mining company Lucara Diamond discovered the gemstone, hailing it as “exceptional” and “high-quality” in a statement shared Wednesday.

William Lamb, president and chief executive of Lucara, said the company was “ecstatic” about the discovery of the “extraordinary” stone after it was uncovered from the Karowe mine, which is fully owned by the company.

Lamb credited X-ray technology that has been used by the company since 2017 for the detection of the massive diamond, which was retrieved intact.

The Botswanan government described the discovery as “precious” and said President Mokgweetsi Masisi would hold a viewing ceremony Thursday. The government said the diamond is the largest ever recovered in Botswana.

The world’s largest stone is the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond, found in South Africa in 1905. The stone was divided into nine larger gems and nearly 100 smaller ones. Some of the gems are among the British crown jewels.

One of the gems, Cullinan I - also known as the “Great Star of Africa” - is described as the largest colorless cut diamond in the world by Britain’s Royal Collection Trust. In 1911, it was mounted to the Sovereign’s Scepter with Cross. The stone was so large that the scepter had to be reinforced to take its weight.

The jewel-studded scepter was carried atop Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin in 2022 and was used in 2023 at the coronation of King Charles III.

The Cullinan diamonds featured heavily in the elaborate royal ceremony - despite being mired in some deeply unflattering British history. Ahead of the coronation, many South Africans called for the stones to be returned, The Washington Post reported.

Lamb said the company’s discovery represents “the unparalleled wealth found in Botswana’s soil” and symbolizes the southern African country’s “continued ascent as a global leader in diamond production.”

Some of the world’s largest stones have been pulled from the Karowe mine, including the Sewelo diamond, a 1,758-carat stone that was discovered in 2019. The gem, which until this discovery was recognized as the second-biggest mined diamond in the world, was bought by French fashion giant Louis Vuitton for an undisclosed sum.

In 2015, a 1,111-carat diamond was unearthed from the Karowe mine, measuring the size of a human palm. The diamond, known as Lesedi La Rona, was bought by a British jeweler two years later, for $53 million, the Associated Press reported.

Southern Africa is one of the leading diamond producers in the world.

Last month, Botswana proposed a law that would require mining companies, once granted a license, to sell a 24 percent stake in mines to local investors unless the government exercises its option to acquire the shareholding, Reuters reported.