Found 2,492 carat diamond, the second largest in the world

Lucara Diamond (Canada) mining company said on August 22 that a 2,492-carat diamond was discovered intact at the Karowe mine in Botswana, becoming the second largest diamond in the world .

In a statement, the company said it was "one of the largest rough diamonds ever excavated," according to CNN. The diamond was discovered and extracted using MDR X-ray transmission technology, which is designed to "identify and preserve large, high-value diamonds."

"We are extremely pleased to have found this exceptional 2,492-carat diamond," said William Lamb, president and CEO of Lucara Diamond.

Rough diamonds are often graded for quality based on color, clarity, size, and shape. A 2,492 carat diamond weighs 498.4 grams.

Prior to the discovery, the second largest diamond ever found was the Lesedi La Rona, weighing 1,109 carats, which was found by Lucara Diamond at the Karowe mine in 2015. The diamond was sold to jewelry company Graff for $53 million in 2017.

A Lucara Diamond spokesperson said the company has found six of the top 10 diamonds ever discovered. The spokesperson said the latest diamond will be evaluated in the coming weeks.

The diamond is expected to be presented to Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi next week, Reuters reported.

Botswana is the world's largest diamond producer by value. Last month, Botswana proposed a law requiring mining companies to sell 24 percent of their shares in mines to local investors after they are granted a license, unless the government exercises its right to buy back the shares.

The largest diamond ever found was the Cullinan diamond, weighing 3,106 carats, found in the Transvaal (now South Africa) in 1905. It was cut into many smaller stones, some of which are set in the British crown.