The Karowe mine in Botswana has produced a 1,080-carat diamond—the fourth diamond over 1,000 carats recovered from the mine since 2015.
Mine owner Lucara describes the diamond, which measures 82.2 mm by 42.8 mm by 34.2 mm, as a “Type IIa top white gem of high quality.”
Other notable recoveries from Karowe include the 1,758 ct. Sewelô, found in 2019; a 1,174 ct. diamond, found in 2021; and the famed 1,109 ct. Lesedi La Rona, found in 2015.
Lucara has been able to increase its recovery of big diamonds because of its use of advanced technology, detailed in a 2020 New Yorker article. Previously, diamonds over a certain size were crushed.
Per a current agreement, the diamond will likely be sold to HB Antwerp, which will give Lucara a portion of the final polished price. Lucara did not respond to a request for comment on the diamond’s possible value.
(Photo courtesy of Lucara)
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