Second Largest Diamond in the World Discovered

Kathmandu. The second largest diamond in the world has been found in Botswana. According to BBC, a 2492-carat diamond was discovered at the Canadian firm Lucara Diamond's Kairo mine. This diamond is the largest discovered since the 3106-carat Cullinan Diamond found in South Africa in 1905.

The Kairo mine is located about 500 kilometers from Botswana's capital Gaborone. Earlier, in 2019, a 1758-carat Sefhelo diamond was also found in the same mine. This diamond was purchased by the French fashion company Louis Vuitton, but its price was not disclosed.

In 2017, a 1109-carat Lesedi La Rona diamond was discovered at Botswana's Kairo mine, which was bought by the British company Graff Diamonds for 53 million dollars. Botswana is one of the largest diamond producers in the world, with 20 percent of the world's diamonds being produced here.

William Lamb, CEO of Lucara Diamond, said, 'We are very happy with this discovery. This diamond was found with the help of our mega diamond recovery x-ray technology. We are attempting to recover this 2492-carat diamond.'

Last month, Botswana proposed a new mining law. Under this law, after obtaining a license, mining companies will have to give 24 percent of their shares to local investors.

The Cullinan diamond, discovered in 1905 at South Africa's Premier Number 2 mine, is still the most valuable diamond ever found. It was named after the mine's owner, Thomas Cullinan. In 1907, it was presented to British King Edward VII. Subsequently, Joseph Asher of Amsterdam cut it into nine pieces of various shapes and sizes.

The Cullinan diamond is also known as the Great Star of Africa. Its largest piece is found in the scepter of King Charles of Britain, and its second largest piece is embedded in the imperial state crown of the royal family.

What is a diamond, and how is it formed?

A special type of rock called 'kimberlite pipe' is found about 160 kilometers below the Earth's surface. When magma flows from deep fractures in the Earth and accumulates in one place, a 'kimberlite pipe' is formed.

Due to the immense pressure and temperature inside the Earth, carbon crystals gradually turn into diamonds. It is said that diamonds are made of 100 percent carbon; if heated in a furnace at 763 degrees Celsius, the world's hardest substance, diamond, burns and turns into carbon dioxide gas. There is no ash of diamond left in the vessel.

According to the International Institute of Gemology, natural diamonds contain 99.95 percent carbon and 0.05 percent other substances. These can be lower, and they are said to increase or decrease the luster of the diamond and its size.