Source: Lucara

IF YOU THOUGHT the stone sported by Kate Winslet in Titanic was the stuff of dreams, you may be surprised a stone has just been found that makes it look like a pebble.

Diamond vendors Lucara have just announced the recovery of a 1,111 carat rock from one of its mines in Botswana.

The stone is the world’s second largest gem quality diamond. It measures 65mm x 56mm x 40mm. You would struggle to fit it on a standard engagement ring to say the least.

It is, frankly, ludicrously big.

Source: Lucara

Source: Lucara

President of Lucara William Lamb said the “significance of the find cannot be overstated”.

This historic diamond recovery puts Lucara amongst a select number of truly exceptional diamond producers.

The value of the stone is not yet known, but AFP quotes mining analyst Kieron Hodgson as saying it has “the potential to be one very expensive diamond”.

Valuation will depend on potential inclusions, how it would behave in cutting, optimal shape, as well as final colour.

The only known diamond larger than Lucara’s find is the Cullinan diamond which was recovered in South Africa in 1905.

The Cullinan diamond, the largest ever discovered in its rough form Source: Wikimedia Commons

This new diamond is the first of its size to be uncovered using a modern processing facility.

The new diamond isn’t even the only huge stone that Lucara have recovered this week.

The company have suggested on their site that the Karowe Mine, where the huge stone was found, has also this week turned up an 813 carat and a 374 carat stone.

Contains reporting by AFP

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