World\`s third largest diamond found in Botswana

A diamond believed to be the third largest ever found in the world has been put on display in Botswana.

The stone - weighing 1_098 carats - was shown to President Mokgweetsi Masisi_ two weeks after the diamond firm_ Debswana_ unearthed it.

The huge gem is only slightly less heavy than the world's second-largest diamond which was also found in the same country in 2015. Botswana is Africa's largest producer of diamonds.

"This is the largest diamond to be recovered by Debswana in its history of over 50 years in operation_" said Lynette Armstrong_ Debswana Diamond Company's acting managing director.

"From our preliminary analysis it could be the world's third largest gem quality stone."

Debswana is a joint venture between the government and global diamond giant De Beers and up to 80% of the income from sales goes to state coffers through dividends_ royalties and taxes.

Botswana's Minerals Minister_ Lefoko Moagi_ said the latest find could not have come at a better time for Botswana after the pandemic caused diamond sales to slump last year.

The biggest diamond ever discovered was the 3_106 carat Cullinan diamond found in South Africa in 1905 and the second largest is the 1_109 carat Lesedi La Rona found in Botswana in 2015.

The newly discovered stone_ which was found at the Jwaneng mine_ is yet to be named.

Ms Armstrong said a decision had not yet been taken on whether to sell the "rare and extraordinary stone" though De Beers or through the state owned Okavango Diamond Company.