World’s Second-Largest Diamond Discovered In Botswana

A nearly tennis-ball-size gem discovered in Botswana is the second-largest diamond ever unearthed, smaller only than a precious stone that furnished the British crown.

The 1,111-carat gem-quality diamond was found this week at the Karowe Mine in Botswana, said Lucara Diamond Corp., the Vancouver-based company that owns and operates the mine. It was among a cache of huge white diamonds discovered at Karowe this week, including an 813-carat stone the company said was the sixth-largest ever found. One carat is equivalent to one-fifth of a gram.

“I am truly at a loss for words,” said Lucara Chief Executive William Lamb. “We are truly blessed by this amazing asset.”