In Botswana, the globe's second-largest diamond was uncovered.
The biggest diamond ever discovered, the 3106-carat "Cullinan," was unearthed in South Africa back in 1905. Pieces of this gem stone are now included in the British Crown Jewels.
A new gem, estimated to be 1098 carats, is set to be unveiled to the public and President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Thursday, hailing from Botswana. The Botswanan government has confirmed that this discovery ranks as the second largest diamond in the world.
"This historic uncovering of a rough diamond, the most substantial in 120 years, is intriguing," stated Tobias Kormind, CEO of online jeweler 77 Diamonds. The advancements in technology used in the Botswanan mine have enabled extraction of larger diamonds without shattering them, Kormind added. More such discoveries are predicted.
Botswana is known globally for its diamond production. This sector, being the country's primary income source, contributes 30% to its GDP and 80% to its exports. The largest diamond found in Botswana so far is the 1758-carat "Sewelo," excavated by Lucara Diamond in 2019. In 2021, a Canadian company unearthed a 1174-carat diamond by applying X-ray technology at the same mine.
Other mineral resources are also abundant in Botswana, supporting its diverse economic growth. The success of finding such large diamonds reinforces Botswana's reputation as a global leader in responsible and sustainable mineral extraction.
