The second largest diamond ever found – a tough stone weighing 2,492 carats – was unearthed from a mine owned by Canadian firm Lucara Diamond in Botswana.
It’s the largest discovery for the reason that 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond found in South Africa in 1905, which was lower into 9 separate gems, a lot of that are set within the British Crown Jewels.
The diamond was found on the Karowe mine, about 500 kilometers (300 miles) north of Botswana’s capital, Gaborone.
The federal government of Botswana says it’s the largest diamond ever found within the southern African nation.
Botswana’s earlier largest discovery was a 1,758-carat gem discovered on the identical mine in 2019.
Botswana is among the largest diamond producers on the planet, Approximately 20% of global production.
Lucara mentioned in a press release that the diamond was “one of many largest tough diamonds ever unearthed.”
“We’re ecstatic in regards to the restoration of this extraordinary 2,492-carat diamond,” mentioned Lucara Director William Lamb.
Mr Lamb mentioned the diamond was detected utilizing Lucara’s Mega Diamond Restoration X-ray know-how.
Since 2017, it has been used to determine and protect high-value diamonds, guaranteeing they don’t shatter throughout the ore crushing course of.
The corporate didn’t disclose particulars in regards to the stone’s gem high quality or its worth.
The 1,758-carat gem was found in 2019 and bought by French vogue home Louis Vuitton for an undisclosed worth.
A 1,109-carat diamond unearthed on the identical mine in 2016 was bought in 2017 to London jeweler Laurence Graff, chairman of Graff Diamonds, for $53m (£39.5m) Purchase.
Lukla owns 100% of the Kaloway mine.
Reuters reported final month that Botswana’s authorities has proposed a regulation that might require firms that obtain a mining license to promote 24% of their shares to native firms if the federal government doesn’t train its choice to develop into a shareholder.
