2,492-Carat Diamond Recovered From Botswana Diamond Mine
The giant gem came from Karowe, the same mine that yielded the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona and the 1,758-carat Sewelô diamond.

The diamond mining company announced the recovery of an “exceptional” 2,492-carat rough diamond from its Karowe mine in Botswana.
It is ostensibly the second largest rough diamond found in recorded history, trailing only the 3,106-carat Cullinan, which was unearthed in 1905.
The stone also is believed to be the largest diamond ever found in Botswana (the Cullinan came from South Africa) and the fifth diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats yielded by the Karowe mine, although the stones are of varying quality.
In 2015, Lucara recovered a 1,109-carat diamond later named Lesedi La Rona from the mine, and in 2019, it found a darker-colored 1,758-carat diamond described as being “near-gem of variable quality.” That diamond was later dubbed the Sewelô.
In 2021, the mining company discovered a 1,174-carat diamond it described as “clivage” and it found a “high quality” 1,080-carat diamond in August 2023.

In a short news release announcing this latest large find, Lucara did not explicitly describe the nearly 2,500-carat diamond as gem quality.
Sources close to the mining company said the diamond is difficult to analyze with the naked eye because of its size, adding, “Full assessment of the type and color will be done over the coming weeks, although visual inspection does indicate that the internals of the stone are relatively clean.”
Lucara said the diamond was recovered because of the x-ray transmission technology it installed at Karowe’s processing plant in 2017 in order to identify and save any large, high-value diamonds.
It also noted that the 2,492-carat diamond was recovered from the processing of EM/PK(S) kimberlite, the dominant ore type Lucara will continue to target during the first years of underground mining at Karowe.
Lucara announced plans to go underground at Karowe in 2019, though it said last July that the transition would take longer than expected and cost more because there is more water underground than it anticipated.
“We are ecstatic about the recovery of this extraordinary 2,492-carat diamond,” Lucara President and CEO William Lamb said in the release announcing the find.
“This find not only showcases the remarkable potential of our Karowe Mine, but also upholds our strategic investment in cutting-edge XRT technology … This discovery reinforces Karowe’s position as a truly world-class diamond mine and highlights the continued success of our operational and underground development strategy.”
The Latest

The singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.

The bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.

The heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.


The Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.

The historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

To mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.

Founder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.

If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.

The top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.

Gizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.

Luca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.

Following visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.

The “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.

The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.

The New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.

Take a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.

The one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.

The California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.

Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.

The foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.

Assimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.

The De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”

The Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.