A diamond a little over the size of a tennis ball has been unearthed in Botswana.
Vancouver-based Lucara Diamond Corp. uncovered the 2,492-carat stone in its Karowe diamond mine in Botswana, according to an Aug. 21 release.
This diamond is one of the largest raw diamonds ever found, and was detected using specialized X-ray transmission (XRT) technology for the retrieval and preservation of mega diamonds.
It was extracted from processed kimberlite, an ore type the company will continue targeting in its underground operations.
Karowe has a reputation for producing rare stones, like the 1,758-carat Sewelô diamond purchased by Louis Vuitton for an undisclosed amount and estimated to be worth US$50 million.
Or the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona diamond, sold to Graff Diamonds for US$53 million.
"We are ecstatic about the recovery of this extraordinary 2,492 carat diamond. This find not only showcases the remarkable potential of our Karowe Mine, but also upholds our strategic investment in cutting-edge XRT technology,” said William Lamb, president and CEO of Lucara.
