Large Diamond Discovered in Botswana, Weighing 2,492 Carats
The second-largest diamond ever to be pulled from the Earth was discovered in Botswana by a Canadian company. Lucara Diamond Corp. announced the find in a press release, showing off photos of the 2,492-carat stone, which is considered the largest diamond found in over a century.
President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi, held the gem, weighing in at half a kilogram, during a ceremony in Gaborone. Lucara’s Karowe Mine has produced some of the largest diamonds to be mined in recent years.
Lucara’s CEO, William Lamb, expressed excitement about the discovery, citing the "remarkable potential" of their mine. "This find not only showcases the potential of our Karowe Mine but also upholds our strategic investment in cutting-edge X-ray technology," he said.
This latest gem breaks one of the company’s own records, surpassing a 1,758-carat diamond discovered in 2019. Botswana, with a population of 2.6 million, is the second-biggest producer of natural diamonds behind Russia and has unearthed all of the world’s biggest stones in recent years.
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 are over three billion years old.
Q&A:
Q: How large is the newly discovered diamond?
A: The 2,492-carat diamond is the largest discovered in over a century.
Q: How does this diamond compare to previous records?
A: This discovery surpasses a 1,758-carat diamond discovered in 2019 and comes in second to the Cullinan Diamond, which was dug up in 1905 and measured 3,106 carats.
Q: Where is the mine located?
A: The Lucara Diamond Corp.’s Karowe Mine is located in Botswana.
Q: How long has Lucara’s Karowe Mine been producing large diamonds?
A: Since its opening in 2012, the mine has produced at least 328 diamonds over 100 carats.
Q: What is the background on diamonds?
A: Diamonds are formed when carbon atoms are squeezed together under high pressure deep underground, resulting in a gemstone that can take up to three billion years to form.