Massive 2,492-Carat Diamond Unearthed in Botswana, Second Largest Ever Discovered

Gaborone: A giant 2,492-carat diamond, the second-largest ever discovered, has been unearthed in Botswana, according to an announcement by Canadian mining company Lucara Diamond Corp. on Thursday. The colossal gem was found at the Karowe Diamond Mine in northeastern Botswana, utilizing advanced X-ray detection technology.

Lucara Diamond Corp. did not disclose the diamond’s value or quality but confirmed its status as the second-largest diamond ever found, trailing only the legendary 3,016-carat Cullinan Diamond discovered in South Africa in 1905.

“We are thrilled with the recovery of this extraordinary 2,492-carat diamond,” said Lucara President William Lamb in the statement. Photos released by the company depict the diamond as large as a human palm.

This significant find, one of the largest rough diamonds ever recorded, was made possible through the company’s Mega Diamond Recovery X-ray technology, installed in 2017 to identify and preserve large, high-value diamonds.

Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi inspected the massive stone on Thursday. The government confirmed the diamond’s status as the world’s second-largest.

Botswana, one of the world’s top diamond producers, relies heavily on diamond mining, which accounts for 30% of the country’s GDP and 80% of its exports. Prior to this discovery, the largest diamond found in Botswana was a 1,758-carat gem unearthed by Lucara at the same mine in 2019, named Sewelo. Lucara also discovered a 1,174-carat diamond at the Karowe mine in 2021 using similar X-ray technology.