Why in the News?

In Botswana, a joint venture between Anglo American’s De Beers and the Government has recently unearthed a 1098-carat diamond, ranking as the third-largest gem-quality diamond ever discovered.

Across the annals of history, diamonds have consistently served as timeless emblems of opulence and opulence, prized for their unrivaled beauty and rarity. Throughout the ages, a select few diamonds have attained worldwide fame, owing to their exceptional size and unmatched brilliance. This article takes readers on an exploration to unveil the world’s largest diamonds, delving into their enchanting stories and the profound impact they’ve left on the domain of gemology and beyond.

Top-10 Largest Diamonds of the World

The appeal of diamonds extends beyond the admiration of women; today, anyone who recognizes their allure is in for a delightful experience.

How is diamond formed?

Diamonds take shape under intense temperature and pressure, forming approximately 100 miles beneath the Earth’s surface. The carbon atoms within diamonds exhibit uniform bonding in all directions.

History

Origins of Diamond Mining and Trade

The roots of diamond mining and its allure trace back to India, where people gathered diamonds from rivers and streams. Historical records suggest that India engaged in diamond trade as early as the fourth century BC.

Changing Diamond Dynamics

By the 1700s, India’s diamond supplies dwindled, and Brazil emerged as a significant source, dominating the diamond market for over 150 years. Subsequent changes, driven by the French and Industrial Revolution, ushered in transformations within the diamond market, reflecting shifts in both production and demand.

Key Points

• This newly discovered diamond is slightly smaller than the world’s second-largest, the 1,109-carat Lesedi la Rona found in Botswana in 2015, and the largest, the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond discovered in South Africa in 1905.
• Botswana, known as Africa’s largest diamond producer, recently presented a 1,098-carat diamond to President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
• The final value of the 1,098-carat diamond has not been disclosed yet.
• The 1,109-carat Lesedi la Rona diamond, the world’s second-largest, was previously sold for $53 million.

Diamond Unearthed in Botswana

Botswana’s Debswana Diamond Company, a collaboration between the Botswana government and De Beers, has unearthed a remarkable 1,098-carat diamond. This gem is now recognized as the world’s third-largest gem-quality diamond ever discovered. The impressive find has been presented to the President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi. Notable precedents include South Africa’s 3,106-carat Cullinan stone in 1905 and Botswana’s Lesedi La Rona, a 1,109-carat diamond found by Lucara Diamonds in 2015.

Diamond Formation and Properties: Unveiling the Geological Wonders

Exquisite beauty and unparalleled hardness characterize diamonds, formed exclusively under high pressures within kimberlite—an ultrabasic volcanic rock discovered deep in the Earth’s crust. Essentially crystallized chains of carbon atoms, diamonds derive their exceptional hardness from the densely concentrated nature of these carbon structures.

Botswana’s Diamond Legacy: A Glittering Production Hub

Botswana holds the prestigious title of Africa’s largest diamond producer, with recent acclaim stemming from the discovery of a remarkable 1,098-carat diamond. Debswana Diamond Company unearthed and subsequently presented this diamond to President Mokgweetsi Masisi. It weighs just shy in comparison to the world’s second-largest, the 1,109-carat Lesedi la Rona, discovered in Botswana in 2015, and the largest, the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond found in South Africa in 1905. While the stone’s final value remains undisclosed, its significance adds to Botswana’s prominent role in the global diamond trade.

Debswana Diamond Company: Bridging Global Expertise and Local Prosperity

Operated as a joint venture between the globally renowned De Beers and the government, the Debswana Diamond Company plays a pivotal role in Botswana’s diamond industry. With 80 percent of diamond sale proceeds channeling back to the government through royalties, dividends, and taxes, Debswana contributes significantly to the country’s economic prosperity.

Modern Diamonds History:

In the late 1800s, explorers uncovered significant diamond deposits in South Africa, marking the beginning of the modern diamond industry. The discovery at Kimberly Mines prompted Cecil Rhodes to establish De Beers Consolidated Mines in 1888, eventually gaining control of 90% of the diamond market by the 1900s. However, Africa’s annual production of almost a million carats fueled corruption and tragic incidents, earning the continent the infamous label of the “Blood Continent” due to lives lost in diamond mining.

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