World's second largest diamond unearthed
A massive diamond, believed to be the second largest in the world, has been unearthed in Botswana according to a mining company.
The huge stone is thought to be the biggest found since the 3106-carat Cullinan Diamond was discovered in South Africa in 1905.
Canadian mining company Lucara Diamond Corp. announced that the "exceptional" gem, at 2492-carats, was found intact in its Karowe mine.
The company celebrated the find as "one of the largest rough diamonds ever unearthed," calling the discovery "remarkable".
William Lamb, president and CEO of Lucara, said in the release: "We are ecstatic about the recovery of this extraordinary 2492 carat diamond."
Prior to the latest announcement, the second largest discovery was thought to be the Lesedi La Rona, a 1109-carat stone also found by Lucara at the Karowe mine in 2015.
The diamond was sold to luxury jeweller Graff for $53 million USD two years later.
Lucara's spokeswoman said the company had found six of the top 10 diamonds ever discovered.
Image credits: Lucara Diamond Corp