Faith Nyasuguta
Botswana has made headlines with the discovery of a colossal 2,492 carat diamond, the second-largest ever found globally and the largest ever unearthed in the country. The remarkable stone was uncovered by Canadian mining company Lucara Diamond from its Karowe mine, a site renowned for producing some of the world’s most extraordinary gems.
Lucara Diamond, in a statement released on Wednesday, hailed the find as “exceptional” and of “high quality,” emphasizing the significance of the discovery. William Lamb, the company’s president and CEO, expressed immense excitement, describing the stone as “extraordinary” and attributing the success to the advanced X-ray technology that has been employed at the Karowe mine since 2017.
This technology enabled the detection and intact retrieval of the massive diamond, a feat that has generated significant buzz in the global diamond industry.
The Botswana government has also recognized the importance of this discovery, labeling it as “precious” with President Mokgweetsi Masisi personally overseeing a viewing ceremony on Thursday. The government proudly acknowledged that this diamond is now the largest ever recovered in Botswana, further cementing the country’s reputation as a leader in diamond production.
Globally, the only diamond larger than this recent discovery is the 3,106 carat Cullinan diamond, found in South Africa in 1905. The Cullinan diamond was famously divided into multiple gems, with some becoming part of the British crown jewels. Among these is the Cullinan I, also known as the “Great Star of Africa,” which is the largest colorless cut diamond in the world.
The Cullinan I has a storied history, including being mounted to the Sovereign’s Scepter with Cross in 1911, a piece of regalia that was carried atop Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin in 2022 and featured in King Charles III’s coronation in 2023.
The Karowe mine, fully owned by Lucara Diamond, has a history of producing extraordinary gems. Before this latest discovery, the mine was famous for the Sewelo diamond, a 1,758 carat stone discovered in 2019, which was purchased by French luxury brand Louis Vuitton. Additionally, in 2015, the mine yielded the 1,111-carat Lesedi La Rona, which was eventually sold for $53 million.
Lamb highlighted that the discovery of this latest diamond is a testament to the “unparalleled wealth found in Botswana’s soil” and underscores the country’s growing stature as a global leader in diamond mining.
The find not only showcases the richness of Botswana’s natural resources but also signals the country’s continued ascent in the world of precious gems
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