1098-carat diamond, third-largest in the world, unearthed in Botswana

Jun 17 2021

DEBSWANA DIAMOND COMPANY/FACEBOOK
Mining company Debswana discovered the 1098-carat diamond in Botswana at the beginning of June.

A mining company in Botswana has unearthed a 1098-carat diamond, the third-largest in the world.

Lynette Armstrong, acting managing director of the Debswana Diamond Company​, said this was the largest diamond recovered by the company in its 50-year history.

“From our preliminary analysis it could be the world’s third-largest gem-quality stone,” Armstrong said, according to The Guardian.

It was discovered on June 1 at Jwaneng Mine​ in the country’s south. The stone, which hadn’t yet been named, measured 73mm by 52mm by 27mm.

After a year in which coronavirus restrictions caused a slump in diamond exports, Botswana's president said on Thursday that the country needs to diversify its economy.


The Debswana team spotted the diamond and ensured it was protected as it moved through the recovery process. Before this, the biggest diamond found at the Jwaneng Mine, known as the Prince of Mines, was 446-carats in 1993.

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The Debswana team spotted the diamond and ensured it was protected as it moved through the recovery process. Before this, the biggest diamond found at the Jwaneng Mine, known as the Prince of Mines, was 446-carats in 1993.

Armstrong said the “rare and extraordinary” gem brought hope to the struggling nation.

The diamond was presented to Botswana President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi​ on Wednesday (local time), who said proceeds from its sale would be used to advance national development in the country, as was the norm.

Armstrong said no decision had been made over how they would sell the stone that was yet to be valued.

They were deciding between selling it through the De Beers channel, which was predominantly owned by Anglo American, or the state-owned Okavango Diamond Company.

Debswana was a joint venture by De Beers and the Botswanan Government.

The largest diamond ever found was the Cullinan Diamond discovered in South Africa in 1905 weighing in at 3107 carats, followed by the 1111-carat Lesedi La Rona diamond discovered in Botswana in 2015.