Massive diamond found in Botswana

The diamond shown in this handout photograph is from Lucara Diamond Corporation. Picture: Lucara Diamond Corporation, via EPA

The diamond shown in this handout photograph is from Lucara Diamond Corporation. Picture: Lucara Diamond Corporation, via EPA

Published Nov 19, 2015

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Toronto - A small Canadian diamond company has found what it says is the world's second-biggest gem quality diamond ever recovered, and the largest in more than a century, at its mine in Botswana.

Lucara Diamond Corporation said on Wednesday the 1 111-carat stone was found at its Karowe mine in north-central Botswana, one of the world's most prolific diamond-producing areas.

The Type IIa diamond measures 65mm by 56mm by 40mm.

The biggest gem-quality diamond ever found is the Cullinan diamond, a 3 106-carat stone found in the Premier mine in South Africa in 1905. It was cut into several polished gems, the two largest of which are part of Britain's crown jewels.

REUTERS

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