RARE 1, 305.4-CARAT DIAMOND DISCOVERED IN BOTSWANA’S KAROWE MINE

Thu 16 July 2026:

An exceptional 1,305-carat diamond was discovered in the Karowe diamond mine in Botswana, according to the tenement’s Vancouver-based owner.

“The recovery of our 10th diamond exceeding 1,000 carats is another extraordinary milestone for Karowe, ” William Lamb, Lucara Diamond president and chief executive officer, said Monday. “No diamond mine in history has consistently produced diamonds of this magnitude and Karowe continues to set itself apart on the global stage”.

Unfazed by a slump in market prices and demand, Botswana continues to stand as one of the world’s leading diamond producers, prolific for sourcing exceptionally large, highly-value diamonds vital various uses including jewelry cutting.

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Diamond exploration in Botswana began in the 1930s, but the transformative discovery occurred on March 1, 1967, when De Beers geologists unearthed the massive Orapa kimberlite pipe. This find propelled the newly independent nation from being one of the world’s poorest countries into a global diamond powerhouse.

Key milestones in the history of Botswana’s diamond discoveries include:
Early Exploration (1930s–1950s): Initial prospecting efforts by Anglo American and De Beers began in the 1930s, with the first sparse diamond finds reported in 1938. In the 1950s, Consolidated African Selection Trust (CAST) discovered alluvial diamonds in the Motloutse River, but exploration rights were eventually dropped.

The Orapa Discovery (1967): Following up on CAST’s findings, De Beers successfully traced the diamonds to the Orapa kimberlite pipe in central Botswana. Orapa quickly became one of the largest diamond mines in the world by area.

Letlhakane and Jwaneng (1970–1973): Building on the Orapa success, the Letlhakane pipe was discovered in 1970. In 1973, geologists struck the phenomenally rich Jwaneng pipe in the Naledi River Valley. Jwaneng is now considered one of the most valuable diamond mines on the planet.

Karowe and Monster Stones (2015–Present): Operated by Lucara Diamond Corp, Botswana’s Karowe mine has a reputation for producing exceptionally large, gem-quality rough diamonds. Notable recent finds include the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona (2015), the 1,758-carat Sewelô (2019), and a historic 2,492-carat stone unearthed in 2024.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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