The second largest diamond ever found was discovered in Botswana. This is a 2,492-carat rough stone discovered in a mine owned by the Canadian company Lucara Diamond.

The largest diamond ever found in South Africa was the Cullinan 3,106 carats. It was discovered in 1905 and cut into nine separate stones, many of which are in the British Crown Jewels.

The diamond was found at the Karowe mine, about 500 kilometers (300 miles) north of Botswana’s capital, Gaborone.

The government of Botswana said it was the largest diamond ever discovered in the southern African nation.

The previous largest discovery in Botswana was a 1,758-carat stone found in the same mine in 2019.

Botswana is one of the largest producers of diamonds in the world, accounting for about 20% of global production.

How the diamond was found

In a statement, Lucara said the stone was “one of the largest rough diamonds ever discovered.”

“We are ecstatic with the discovery of this stunning 2,492 carat diamond,” said Lucara CEO William Lamb.

The company did not provide details on the quality of the gemstone or its value.

The diamond was located using Lucara’s Mega Diamond Recovery X-ray, Mr Lamb said.

The technique has been used since 2017 to detect and preserve high-value diamonds so they don’t break during the ore’s crushing processes, according to the BBC.

Lucara owns 100% of the mine at Karowe. Botswana’s government has proposed a law requiring companies, after receiving a mining license, to sell a 24% stake to local companies if the government does not exercise its right to become a shareholder.