A mine owned by the Canadian company, Lucara Diamond in Botswana has dug-out the second-biggest diamond ever discovered. Measuring a massive 2,492 carats, the stone the size of a fist comes in second only to the Cullinan Diamond, which was discovered in South Africa over 130 years ago.
According to the country’s administration, it’s the biggest diamond ever found in the southern African nation of Botswana. Although the champagne-colored rough diamond has not yet received a complete grade from experts, Lucara, the mine’s owner, has called it “high-quality”. The Telegraph was informed by industry insiders that it might fetch up to £53 million.
Approximately 20% of all diamonds produced worldwide come from Botswana; it is one of the top producers in the world. Lucara declared in a statement that the stone was “one of the largest rough diamonds ever unearthed”. “We are ecstatic about the recovery of this extraordinary 2,492 carat diamond,” said Lucara head William Lamb.
Since its opening in 2012, Lucara’s Karowe mine has produced four of the largest stones in the world. The discovery of the diamond is another achievement for the mine. Using X-ray technology, the Canadian diamond miner has been able to recognise enormous stones and sort them without tearing them apart.
“Lucara’s Mega Diamond Recovery X-ray technology was utilised to detect the diamond,” Mr. Lamb stated. In order to prevent high-value diamonds from shattering during the ore-crushing process, it has been in use since 2017.
Both the stone’s worth and gem quality were withheld by the company. Though he pointed out that there were several choices, such as individual collectors and museums, industry sources expected it would eventually be sold to a major jewellery or fashion firm. “There are many, many people out there with large amounts of money,” he told the Telegraph, drawing on his experience from previous transactions.
When considering anything of great historical significance, we must be creative.I believe that no one alive has ever seen a stone this large, and it’s precisely those kinds of details that set this one apart.
As reported by the Reuters news agency last month, the government of Botswana has proposed a rule that would require enterprises to sell a 24 percent ownership to local businesses after being awarded a mining licence, should the government decide not to become a shareholder.
Written by Precious Adams
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