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 National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.

The 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.

The multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

The virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.


The pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.

Parent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

The educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.

The independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

The family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.