Gaborone, Botswana – A colossal 2,492-carat diamond, one of the largest ever unearthed, has been discovered in Botswana, the Canadian mining company Lucara Diamond Corp. announced on Thursday.

The remarkable gem was found in the Karowe Diamond Mine, located in northeastern Botswana, approximately 430 kilometers (270 miles) from the capital, Gaborone. Lucara Diamond Corp., which operates the mine, revealed the discovery in a statement, describing it as one of the largest rough diamonds ever recovered.

“We are ecstatic about the recovery of this extraordinary 2,492-carat diamond,” said Lucara President and CEO William Lamb. The company used its advanced Mega Diamond Recovery X-ray technology to detect the stone, which is among the largest in history.

While Lucara did not provide an estimate of the diamond’s value or its quality, the sheer size of the stone puts it in the ranks of the most significant gems ever found. In terms of carat weight, it closely follows the legendary 3,016.75-carat Cullinan Diamond, which remains the largest gem-quality diamond ever mined, discovered in South Africa in 1905.

Botswana, one of the world’s leading producers of diamonds, relies heavily on diamond mining as its main source of income. This latest discovery reinforces the country’s status as a global hub for diamond production.

The previous record for the largest diamond found in Botswana was held by a 1,758-carat stone, also recovered by Lucara in 2019. That diamond, named Sewelo, captivated the world with its size and quality.

President Mokgweetsi Masisi was scheduled to view the newly discovered diamond later on Thursday, underscoring the national significance of the find.

As the news of this extraordinary discovery spreads, the diamond industry and global markets are expected to watch closely, waiting to see how this massive stone will be evaluated and, ultimately, how it will shape Botswana’s rich diamond legacy.