President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana recently had the opportunity to showcase the largest diamond discovered in over a century, an enormous 2,492-carat diamond weighing approximately half a kilogram. The exceptional quality and intact state of the diamond make it a truly historic find, recovered from Lucara Diamond Corporation’s Karowe Mine in central Botswana using X-ray technology designed to locate large, high-value diamonds. Masisi was visibly thrilled to be one of the first to hold the massive stone, exclaiming “I am lucky to have seen it in my time” and “wow” as he gazed at the impressive gem. Everyone involved in the process is ecstatic, but officials are still too early to assign a price tag or decide how it will be sold. This find is a testament to Botswana’s reputation as a major diamond producer, providing the second-largest supply of natural diamonds after Russia.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi (Via Mokgweetsi Masisi/Twitter)
The Karowe Mine has a history of producing notable diamonds, including four other stones over 1,000 carats in the last decade. The latest discovery surpasses the Sewelo diamond, which was previously recognized as the second-biggest mined diamond in the world at 1,758 carats. The Cullinan Diamond, discovered in South Africa in 1905, remains the largest ever found at 3,106 carats, but the recent discovery in Botswana is significant as it is the largest diamond found in a mine in over a century. As the world buzzes with excitement about the discovery, the exact fate of the diamond and its future in the gem trade remains to be seen. However, it is clear that this find has sent shockwaves through the diamond industry, with speculation rife about who might eventually acquire the massive stone. For now, the focus is on admiring this incredible find and speculating about its potential value and future.
