Home > Offbeat > Botswana unearths second huge diamond in weeks
opoyicentral
Opoyi Central

3 years ago .Gaborone, Botswana

Botswana unearths second huge diamond in weeks

  • The diamond, which fills the palm of a man's hand, was found on June 12 and presented to Botswana's cabinet on Wednesday
  • The diamond sits in the third position among the world's largest gemstones
  • Last month, a 1,098-carat diamond was unearthed in Botswana

Written by:
Published: July 08, 2021 06:13:35 Gaborone, Botswana

An exceptionally large and white 1,174-carat diamond stone has been unearthed in Botswana, a mining company announced Wednesday, trumping another huge precious stone found in the country last month.

Also read: Gems that sparked diamond rush in South Africa turns out to be quartz

The latest find, which fills the palm of a man’s hand, was discovered on June 12 by Canadian Diamond firm, Lucara and presented to the country’s cabinet in the capital Gaborone on Wednesday.

“This is history in the making, for us and Botswana as well,” said the company’s managing director Naseem Lahri, adding that the diamond sits in third position among the world’s largest gemstones.

In terms of size of large stones, “it actually sits as number three in the hierarchy,” Lahri told AFP.

Also read: Man travels 1000 miles to mine diamond for proposal ring, digs up a looker

Last month Botswanan diamond firm Debswana said it had recovered the “third largest” stone in the world at 1,098-carats on June 1.

The latest find solidifies Botswana as a leader on the world stage of the largest stones, accounting for six in the top ten list.

The biggest diamond ever discovered in the world was the 3,106-carat Cullinan, found in South Africa in 1905. Parts of that diamond adorn the British crown jewels.

Also read: 5 Indian treasure mysteries Indiana Jones would want to solve

President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Wednesday welcomed the “riveting moment” and the growing frequency of diamond discoveries in the country — promising that the southern African country will have a long-lasting legacy.

Botswana is Africa’s leading diamond producer.

Related Articles

ADVERTISEMENT

© Copyright 2023 Opoyi Private Limited. All rights reserved