World’s Second-Largest Diamond Discovered in Botswana

Botswana, recognized as the world’s second-largest diamond producer by value, recently made headlines with the discovery of the world’s second-largest diamond ever found.

The exceptional 2,492-carat rough diamond was unearthed at the Karowe Diamond Mine, about 300 miles north of the capital, Gaborone, and weighs 498.4 grams (around 1.10 pounds).

The mine is wholly owned by the Canadian company Lucara Diamond Corp. The firm detected and recovered the exceptional stone with its Mega Diamond Recovery (MDR) X-ray Transmission (XRT) technology, which has been used since 2017 to identify and preserve large, high-value diamonds.

This 2,492-carat rough diamond, discovered by Lucara Diamond Corp. at its Karowe mine in Botswana, is the world's second-largest diamond ever found.

The details of the diamond’s quality and value have not yet been disclosed. However, estimates suggest it could be worth more than $40 million.

This gem is the largest ever found in Botswana, surpassing the 1,758-carat Sewelô diamond discovered at the same mine in 2019, which French fashion brand Louis Vuitton bought for an undisclosed sum.

Additionally, the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona diamond unearthed at the same mine in 2016 was purchased for $53 million by Laurence Graff, chairman of London-based Graff Diamonds, in 2017.

This latest diamond find is the biggest since the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond was discovered in South Africa in 1905. At the time, South Africa was still a British colony, and the diamond was gifted to the then British monarch, Edward VII.

The Cullinan diamond was cut into nine separate stones, many of which now form part of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. For instance, the 530-carat-plus Cullinan I diamond, also known as the Great Star of Africa, is set in the Sovereign’s Sceptre, and the 317.4-carat Cullinan II Diamond, also known as the Second Star of Africa, is part of the Imperial State Crown.

Some proceeds from the sale of this latest diamond are reportedly set to benefit Botswana. According to Lucara, this discovery symbolizes Botswana’s ascent as a global leader in diamond production, representing the unparalleled wealth in its soil and the remarkable progress the nation has made in developing its diamond industry for the benefit of its citizens.