Largest Diamond Found in Over a Century Unearthed in Botswana
The largest diamond found in more than a century has been unearthed at a mine in Botswana, and the country’s president showed off the fist-sized stone to the world at a viewing ceremony Thursday.
Record-Breaking Diamond
The Botswana government says the huge 2,492-carat stone is the second-biggest ever discovered in a mine. It’s the biggest diamond found since 1905.
Value and Sale
Officials said it was too early to value it or decide how it would be sold. Another smaller diamond from the same mine in Botswana was sold for $63 million in 2016, a record for a rough gem.
History in the Making
“This is history in the making,” said Naseem Lahri, the Botswana managing director for Lucara Diamond Corp., the Canadian mining company that found the diamond. “I am very proud. It is a product of Botswana.”
Significance and Comparison
The weight would make it the largest diamond found in 119 years and the second-largest ever dug out of a mine after the Cullinan Diamond that was discovered in South Africa in 1905. The famous Cullinan was 3,106 carats and was cut into gems, some of which form part of the British Crown Jewels.
A bigger, less pure black diamond was discovered in Brazil in the late 1800s, but it was found above ground and was believed to have been part of a meteorite.
Botswana’s Diamond Industry
Botswana, a country of 2.6 million people in southern Africa, is the second-biggest producer of natural diamonds behind Russia and has unearthed all of the world’s biggest stones in recent years. The Karowe Mine has produced four other diamonds over 1,000 carats in the last decade.
Previous Record-Breaking Diamonds
Before this discovery, the Sewelo diamond, which was found at the Karowe Mine in 2019, was recognized as the second-biggest mined diamond in the world at 1,758 carats. It was bought by French fashion house Louis Vuitton for an undisclosed amount.
The 1,111-carat Lesedi La Rona diamond, also from Botswana’s Karowe Mine, was bought by a British jeweller for $53 million in 2017. Another diamond from Karowe, The Constellation, was sold for the record $63 million.
Formation of Diamonds
Diamonds are formed when carbon atoms are squeezed together under high pressure deep underground. Scientists say most diamonds are at least a billion years old and some of them more than 3 billion years old.
Conclusion
The discovery of this massive diamond is a significant event in the world of diamond mining, and it highlights Botswana’s position as a major player in the industry.
FAQs
Q: What is the weight of the newly discovered diamond?
A: The diamond weighs 2,492 carats.
Q: Is this the largest diamond ever discovered?
A: No, the Cullinan Diamond, discovered in 1905, is the largest diamond ever discovered, weighing 3,106 carats.
Q: What is the significance of this discovery?
A: This discovery is significant because it highlights Botswana’s position as a major player in the diamond industry and the country’s ability to produce large, high-quality diamonds.
