A 1,098-carat jewel accepted to be the third biggest pearl quality stone at any point to be mined has been found in Botswana, as indicated by a joint endeavor between Anglo American De Beers and the public authority.
The stone was introduced to President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Wednesday by Debswana Diamond Company’s acting managing director Lynette Armstrong. It is the third biggest on the planet, behind the 3,106 carat Cullinan stone recuperated in South Africa in 1905 and the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona uncovered by Lucara Diamonds in Botswana in 2015.
“This is the largest diamond to be recovered by Debswana in its history of over 50 years in operation,” Armstrong said.
“From our preliminary analysis, it could be the world’s third-largest gem-quality stone. We are yet to make a decision on whether to sell it through the De Beers channel or through the state-owned Okavango Diamond Company,” Armstrong said.
Minerals minister Lefoko Moagi said the discovery of the yet-to-be-named stone could not have come at a better time after the Covid-19 pandemic hit diamond sales in 2020.
The government receives as much as 80 percent of the income from Debswana’s sales through dividends, royalties, and taxes.
Production at Debswana fell 29% in 2020 to 16.6 million carats while deals fell 30% to $2.1 billion as the pandemic affected both creation and request.
In 2021, Debswana plans to increase output by as much as 38 percent to pre-pandemic levels of 23 million carats as the global diamond market recovers with the easing of travel restrictions and reopening of jewelers.