Canadian Firm Lucara Diamond Discovers 2,492-Carat Gem Using Advanced Technology
In a remarkable discovery, the world’s second-largest diamond has been unearthed in Botswana. The Canadian company Lucara Diamond has announced the recovery of a rough 2,492-carat stone from the Karowe Diamond Mine in the northeastern part of the country.
Using innovative X-Ray Transmission technology, Lucara Diamond successfully identified the massive gem. This advanced technology allows for the detection and extraction of large diamonds without breaking them, a feat that was nearly impossible with older methods.
Statements from Lucara Diamond
Lucara President William Lamb expressed the company’s excitement over the find. “We are ecstatic about the recovery of this extraordinary 2,492-carat diamond,” Lamb said in a statement. He further elaborated, “The ability to recover such a massive, high-quality stone intact demonstrates the effectiveness of our approach to diamond recovery and our commitment to maximizing value for our shareholders and stakeholders.”
Photos released by Lucara Diamond reveal that the 2,492-carat stone is as large as the palm, making it an awe-inspiring sight. However, thorough assessments are still pending to determine the quality and potential value of the gems that can be produced from this enormous stone.
Historical context
This newly discovered gem is second only to the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond, which was found in South Africa over a century ago. Despite its size, the 2,492-carat stone falls short of the Cullinan Diamond, which still holds the record for the largest diamond ever discovered.
Botswana: A diamond powerhouse
Botswana is one of the world’s leading diamond producers, with the gem contributing 30 percent to the country’s gross domestic product and accounting for 80 percent of its exports. The Karowe Diamond Mine has been a significant source of these valuable stones. Previously, the 1,758-carat Sewelo diamond was discovered in the same mine, although it did not yield high-quality diamonds, as reported by Bloomberg.
Tobias Kormind, Managing Director of Europe’s largest online diamond jeweler, 77 Diamonds, confirmed the significance of this discovery. “This discovery is largely thanks to newer technology that allows larger diamonds to be extracted from the ground without breaking into pieces. So we will likely see more where this came from,” Kormind told Al Jazeera.
This monumental discovery not only reinforces Botswana’s position as a major player in the diamond industry but also showcases the potential of modern technology to revolutionize diamond mining. As the world watches, the newly found gem is set to spark discussions and excitement in the global diamond market.
