Biggest Diamond in More Than a Century Unearthed in Botswana

November 19, 2015 at 7:57 AM UTC

Updated on

November 19, 2015 at 4:05 PM UTC

A 1,111 carat gem-quality diamond, second in size only to the Cullinan diamond cut into the British Crown jewels, has been unearthed by Lucara Diamond Corp. in Botswana.

The Type-IIa stone, just smaller than a tennis ball, is the largest diamond discovery for more than 100 years, according to Vancouver-based Lucara. It was recovered by machines at the south lobe of Karowe mine in central Botswana, the company said in a statement.