In a world where the extraordinary can sometimes become the ordinary, a recent discovery has sent ripples of excitement across the globe. The Karowe Mine in Botswana, known for its generous yield of large diamonds, has once again made headlines with the unearthing of a colossal 2,492-carat diamond. This magnificent gemstone is not just another addition to the list of large diamonds found; it’s a record-breaker, the largest diamond discovered in over a century, second only to the legendary Cullinan Diamond.
The discovery of this diamond is a reminder of the incredible natural resources that lie beneath Botswana’s landscape and the advanced technology employed by the Lucara Diamond Corp. The days when human beings labored in the mines to dig out the treasures are long gone. Today technology reigns. The use of X-ray technology designed to find large, high-value diamonds has proven its worth, bringing to light a gemstone that the company’s President and CEO, William Lamb, describes as “exceptional” and “one of the largest rough diamonds ever unearthed”. The technology has been used since 2017 to identify and preserve high-value diamonds so that they do not break during ore-crushing processes.
The diamond’s sheer size and quality have captured the imagination of many. Weighing approximately one pound—which makes it too large to be held in your hand– this as-yet unnamed stone is a marvel to behold. Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi was one of the first to hold the diamond, expressing his awe and considering himself fortunate to witness such a find in his lifetime.
For now, its market value is undetermined, however, the UK-based Financial Times newspaper reported that people close to Lucara, whom it did not name, estimated that the stone could be worth upwards of $40m. A smaller diamond from the same mine, weighing in at 1,109 carats, sold for a staggering $63 million in 2016, setting a record for a rough gem. It was bought by London jeweler Laurence Graff, chairman of Graff Diamonds.
The potential of this new diamond could far exceed that figure, making it not only a marvel of nature but also a significant boon for Botswana’s economy.
