A 1,098-carat diamond discovered in a Botswana diamond mine is the third largest diamond on the planet. It is only smaller than the 3,106 carat Cullinan stone found in South Africa (1905) and the 1,109 carat Lesedi La Rona unearthed in Botswana (2015). Measuring 73 mm long by 55 mm wide and 27 mm thick, the gem-quality stone was discovered at Jwaneng, the world’s richest mine by value. Botswana relies on diamonds for 90% of its exports.
The giant gem was uncovered June 1 in the Jwaneng mine in southern Botswana, which is considered the world’s most valuable mine, according to Bloomberg. A spokesperson for mining company Debswana — a joint venture between the De Beers corporation and the government of Botswana — said that the whopping gemstone is the largest diamond ever discovered in the company’s five-decade history.
Botswana is Africa’s leading diamond producer, The Guardian reported, and is also home to the mine where the world’s second-largest diamond — a 1,109-carat stone called the Lesedi La Rona — was unearthed in 2015.
Picture Credit : Google
