The world’s second largest diamond has been discovered in Botswana by a Canadian firm. The discovery also marks the first diamond of this size to be found in more than a century. Lucara, the diamond mining company found the type IIa diamond at its Karowe mine, and experts have described it to resemble the shape of a tennis ball or orange. The 1,111 carat diamonds measures 65mmx56mmx40mm.
This diamond is expected to cost several million dollars of course, the price of which we cannot wait to hear! The most expensive diamond in the world is the $55 million blue moon. The largest diamond was found in 1905 at the Premier Mine in Pretoria South Africa and named Cullinan after Sir Thomas Cullinan who owned the firm that discovered the gem. He got the stone to be cut into nine, a part of which presently resides in the Britain’s crown, Royal Sceptre.
Botswana is one of the leading countries in the world for diamond production. Around 75% of its exports are in this lucrative business too. Diamonds were first discovered here in 1966. The Karowe mine was acquired by Lucara from De Beers in 2009. Bet they will be writhing in their seats now.
This heavy duty find wasn’t the only one for Lucara this week. An 813 carat stone and a 374 carat stone were also discovered.
[ Via : FT ]
