A diamond mining firm in Botswana says it has unveiled a 1 098-carat stone, describing it as the third largest of its kind in the world, reports say.
According to AFP, the stone, found on June 1, was shown to President Mokgweetsi Masisi in the capital Gaborone.
“It is believed to be the third largest gem-quality find in the world,” the report quoted Debswana Managing Director Lynette Armstrong as saying.
The “rare and extraordinary stone… means so much in the context of diamonds and Botswana,” she said. “It brings hope to the nation that is struggling.”
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President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi has commended Debswana’s recent 1,098.3 carat diamond discovery. pic.twitter.com/m2eR40KwFN
— Botswana Government (@BWGovernment) June 16, 2021
In a tweet on Wednesday, the Botswana government said Masisi had commended Debswana’s discovery.
A report by The Guardian said the diamond was also the biggest stone of gem quality to be discovered in the history of the company, a joint venture between the government and the global diamond giant De Beers.
The world’s biggest diamond was the 3106-carat Cullinan, found in South Africa in 1905, the report said.
PICTURE: Twitter/@BWGovernment
