A ‘gigantic’ discovery: the world’s second biggest diamond

The second-largest diamond ever found, a rough 2,492-carat stone, was unearthed in Botswana (Africa) at a mine owned by Canadian firm Lucara Diamond on August 2024.

Photo: Lucara Diamond Corp.

The impressive stone has an  estimated value of 36 million euros (40 million dollars), according to a statement made by the Canadian company.

Photo: Unsplash - Dillon Wanner

The exceptional diamond was found at the Karowe diamond mine, and to appreciate its size, the company shared a photo of the diamond on a hand.

It is "one of the largest rough diamonds ever unearthed," said William Lamb, president of Lucara Diamond Corp.

Photo: Lucara Diamond Corp.

This tremendous discovery was made possible by the Canadian company's X-ray transmission technology, which not only allows the company to locate large and valuable diamonds, but also to preserve them when they are unearthed.

In fact, the company can boast of having recovered two other diamonds of considerable size: the Sewelo, weighing 1,758 carats; and the Lesedi La Rona, weighing 1,109 carats.

Photo: Lucara Diamond Corp.

However, despite its size, the diamond is far from the first place held by the Cullinan diamond found in 1905, which weighed 3,106 carats.

Photo: Unsplash - Sean P.

Found in South Africa, the diamond was cut into several pieces, most of which are now part of the British Crown Jewels collection.

Botswana is one of the world's biggest producer of diamonds, accounting for about 20% of global production.

Photo: Lucara Diamond Corp.