A huge diamond with silver hues was discovered in Botswana in June, just 12 days after another similar find, AFP reported, citing the Canadian company Lucera.
The gemstone is 1,174 carats.
It was opened on June 12 and displaces from the third place of the world’s largest diamonds its rival from June 1, also found in Botswana, but by another company.
The discovery is “historic, both for us and for Botswana,” said Lucara CEO Nasim Lahri. “In the hierarchy of large stones, it ranks third,” she said proudly at the diamond presentation.
Thus, Botswana consolidates its position as a leader in huge gems in the world with six of the largest diamonds.
The diamond, discovered on June 1, weighs 1,098 carats and belongs to the Debswana company, which is owned by the government and the South African company De Beers.
The biggest diamond ever discovered anywhere was the 3,106-carat Cullinan, found in South Africa in 1905. Parts of that diamond adorn the British crown jewels.
Mokgweetsi Masisi, the president of Botswana, on Wednesday welcomed the “riveting moment” and the frequency of diamond discoveries in his country.
