Botswana's Karowe Mine Strikes Again: Unearths 2,492-Carat Diamond, Second Only to the Legendary Cullinan

A colossal 2,492-carat diamond has been unearthed in Botswana's Karowe mine, operated by Lucara Diamond Corp, as per a statement released on August 21. This remarkable find now ranks as the second-largest diamond ever discovered, second only to the legendary Cullinan diamond unearthed in South Africa in 1905, which weighed 3,106 carats.

The newly discovered diamond, still awaiting thorough evaluation, has prompted questions regarding its quality and potential yield of high-grade gemstones. Found in the renowned Karowe mine, the diamond is not far behind its 110-year-old predecessor, the Cullinan diamond, in terms of scale.

Karowe mine has a reputation for yielding some of the world's largest diamonds. In 2015, Lucara uncovered the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona, which at the time held the title of the second-largest diamond, later fetching $53 million. Additionally, the mine has produced an 813-carat diamond that sold for $63 million, both classified as Type IIa diamonds, known for their exceptional quality.

In previous years, the Karowe mine also revealed a 1,758-carat Sewelo diamond, although it did not possess gemstone quality. The mine's track record solidifies its position as a premier site for significant diamond discoveries.

The monumental Cullinan diamond, discovered near Pretoria, South Africa, over a century ago, was subsequently cut into several gemstones. The most notable of these are the Great Star of Africa and the Lesser Star of Africa, ornately set into the British Crown Jewels.