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An unusually large, white 1,174-carat diamond stone has been unearthed in Botswana, a mining company said on Wednesday, surpassing another huge gemstone found in the country last month.
The latest find, which fills the palm of a man’s hand, was discovered on June 12 by Canadian diamond company Lucara and presented to the country’s cabinet in the capital Gaborone on Wednesday.
“This is history on the move, for us and for Botswana as well,” said company chief executive Naseem Lahri, adding that the diamond is ranked third among the world’s largest gemstones.
In terms of the size of large stones, “he actually sits third in the hierarchy,” Lahri told AFP.
Last month, Botswana diamond firm Debswana said it recovered the world’s “third largest” stone at 1,098 carats on June 1.
The latest find consolidates Botswana as a leader on the world’s largest stone scene, accounting for six on the top ten list.
The largest diamond ever discovered in the world was the 3,106-carat Cullinan, found in South Africa in 1905. Parts of this diamond adorn the British Crown Jewels.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Wednesday hailed the “fascinating moment” and the increasing frequency of diamond discoveries in the country, promising that the southern African country will have a lasting legacy.
Botswana is Africa’s largest diamond producer.
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