By Nneka Nwogwugwu
The world’s third largest diamond has been discovered in Botswana.
The diamond was discovered on June 1 and was announced by a diamond firm, Debswana on June 16, 2021.
The stone was presented to Botswana’s President, Mokgweetsi Masisi by Debswana Diamond Company’s acting managing director, Lynette Armstrong.
The country’s Minerals minister Lefoko Moagi said the discovery of the yet-to-be named stone, could not have come at a better time after the COVID-19 pandemic hit diamond sales in 2020.
NatureNews gathered 5 things to note about her huge diamond.
• The diamond is a 1,098-carat diamond believed to be the third-largest gem-quality stone ever to be mined.
• It comes third largest after 3,106 carat Cullinan stone recovered in South Africa in 1905 and the 1,109 carat Lesedi La Rona unearthed by Lucara Diamonds in Botswana in 2015.
• This is the largest diamond to be recovered by Debswana in its history of over 50 years in operation.
• It measures 73mm long, 52mm wide and 27mm thick.
• The government receives as much as 80% of the income from Debswana’s sales through dividends, royalties and taxes.
Sales of diamond jewellery have rebounded in the US as the country’s economy recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, NatureNews gathered.