The world's second-largest gem quality diamond
has been discovered in Botswana, the Lucara
Diamond firm says.
The 1,111-carat stone was recovered from its
Karowe mine, about 500km (300 miles) north of the
capital, Gaborone.
It is the biggest diamond to be discovered in
Botswana and the largest find in more than a
century.
The 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond was found in
South Africa in 1905 and cut into nine separate
stones, many of which are in the British Crown
Jewels.
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"The significance of the recovery of a gem quality
stone larger than 1,000 carats, the largest for more
than a century... cannot be overstated," William
Lamb, the CEO of Lucara Diamond, a Canadian
diamond producer, said in a statement .
Lucara says two other "exceptional" white
diamonds - an 813-carat stone and a 374-carat
stone - were also found at the Karowe mine.
"I am truly at a loss for words. This has been an
amazing week for Lucara with the recovery of the
second largest and also the sixth largest gem
quality diamonds ever mined," Mr Lamb said.
Botswana is the world's largest producer of
diamonds and the trade has transformed it into a
middle-income nation.
Posted by: Philip Ochika