World's third largest diamond unearthed in Botswana

A Botswana government and De Beers joint venture has claimed to have discovered a diamond that is an impressive 1098 carats and is believed to be the third-largest gem-quality stone ever to be mined.

The precious stone was presented to Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Wednesday by the Debswana Diamond Company's acting managing director Lynette Armstrong. 

It is believed to be the third-largest diamond in the world after the 3106 carat Cullinan stone dug up in South Africa in 1905 and the 1109 carat Lesedi La Rona also found in Botswana by Lucara Diamonds in 2015. 

Armstrong said that this is the largest diamond to be recovered by Debswana in its history of over 50 years in operation. 

A decision is yet to be taken on whether to sell the stone through the De Beers channel or through the state-owned Okavango Diamond Company. The stone is 52mm wide, 73mm long, and 27mm thick. 

Botswana's Minerals Minister Lefoko magi said the discovery of the stone, which is yet to be named, could not have come at a better time after the Coronavirus pandemic impacted diamond sales in 2020. 

The government receives up to 80% of the income from Debswana's sales through royalties, dividends and taxes. 

Debswana's production fell 29% in 2020 to 16.6 million carats, while sales fell 30% to $2.1 billion as both production and demand were impacted by the pandemic. 

In 2021, the company plans to increase output by 38% to pre-pandemic levels of 23 million carats, as the global diamond market recovers slowly with the easing of travel restrictions and reopening of jewellers.

• Botswana
• World's third largest diamond
• gem-quality stone
• Debswana Diamond Company
• diamond
• diamond mining
• De Beers