In Botswana, a diamond considered to be the third biggest ever discovered has been shown. President Mokgweetsi Masisi was shown the stone, which weighed 1,098 carats. Two weeks after it was discovered by the Debswana diamond company. The massive diamond is only slightly lighter than the world’s second-largest diamond, discovered in Botswana in 2015. Botswana is Africa’s largest diamond producer. “This is the largest diamond Debswana has ever recovered in its 50-year existence,” said Lynette Armstrong, acting managing director of Debswana Diamond Company.
“Based on our preliminary research, it might be the third biggest gem grade stone in the world”. Debswana is a joint venture between the government and worldwide diamond giant De Beers, with dividends, royalties, and taxes accounting for up to 80% of sales revenue. The stone’s potential value has yet to be determined, but the second-largest diamond ever discovered, Lesedi La Rona, was sold for $53 million (£39.5 million) in 2017.
Also, the Cullinan diamond, which weighed 3,106 carats and was unearthed in South Africa in 1905, was the largest diamond. Lefoko Moagi, Botswana’s Minerals Minister, said the latest discovery could not have come at a better moment for the country. After the epidemic caused a drop in diamond sales last year. Therefore, the name of the newly discovered stone, discovered in the Jwaneng mine, has yet to be determined. Ms. Armstrong said the choice on whether to sell the “unique and remarkable stone” through De Beers had not yet been made.
