Few treasures in the world of gemstones rival the awe-inspiring discovery of massive diamonds.
Recently, Botswana has reaffirmed its reputation as a source of exceptional diamonds with the discovery of a massive 2,492-carat gem by Canadian mining firm Lucara.
This gem now holds the position of the second-largest diamond ever found, further enhancing Botswana’s storied legacy in the diamond industry.
Here are eight of the largest diamonds ever uncovered globally:
1. The Cullinan
The Cullinan diamond, weighing 3,106 carats, remains the largest gem-quality diamond ever discovered. Unearthed in South Africa in 1905, its notable stones include the Star of Africa, which is part of the British Crown Jewels displayed at the Tower of London.
2. The Sewelo
Until recently, the Sewelo diamond, weighing 1,758 carats, was the second-largest diamond ever found. Mined in Botswana by Lucara in 2019, this diamond, roughly the size of a tennis ball, was purchased by luxury group LVMH in January 2020.
3. Lesedi La Rona
Weighing 1,109 carats and also roughly the size of a tennis ball, the Lesedi La Rona was discovered by Lucara in Karowe, Botswana in November 2015. British jeweler Laurence Graff acquired it for $53 million in September 2017.
4. Recent Botswana Finds
In recent years, Botswana has yielded several notable diamonds. Lucara found a 1,174-carat diamond in June 2021, a 1,080-carat diamond in August 2023, and a 998-carat diamond in November 2020. Additionally, Debswana, a joint venture between the South African government and De Beers, discovered a 1,098-carat diamond in June 2021.
5. The Excelsior
The Excelsior diamond, found in South Africa in 1893, weighed 995 carats before cutting. The largest piece cut from it is 69 carats, which was purchased by jeweler Robert Mouawad in 1996.
6. The Star of Sierra Leone
Discovered in Sierra Leone in 1972, this diamond weighed just under 969 carats. It produced 17 diamonds, with the largest weighing 53.96 carats.
7. Lesotho Discovery
In January 2018, British miner Gem Diamonds announced the discovery of a 910-carat diamond at the Letseng mine in Lesotho, a landlocked country in southern Africa.
8. The Incomparable
Found in the 1980s in what was then Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), the Incomparable diamond weighed 890 carats. The largest cut stone from it is 407 carats.
