Story Highlight
– Natural Diamond Council reports rise in large diamond discoveries.
– Four diamonds over 2,000 carats have been found.
– Record largest diamond remains Cullinan, 1905 discovery.
– Advanced technology aids in diamond detection and extraction.
– Diamond mining benefits local communities and economies significantly.
Full Story
A report by the Natural Diamond Council highlights a notable surge in the discovery of exceptionally large diamonds, attributing this trend to advancements in mining and recovery technologies. Titled “Record-Breaking Diamonds,” this latest addition to the council’s Diamond Reports series examines diamonds exceeding 2,000 carats, a category that has seen only four discoveries in history, two of which occurred in the past two years.
The Cullinan Diamond, discovered in 1905 near Pretoria, South Africa, remains the largest gem-quality diamond recorded, weighing in at 3,106.75 carats. More recently, on August 2024, a 2,492-carat gem-quality diamond, named Motswedi, was unearthed at the Karowe mine in Botswana. This was followed by another significant find in July 2025, with the recovery of a near gem-quality diamond weighing 2,036 carats, also at Karowe.
The council attributes these remarkable finds to innovations such as X-ray transmission technology. This advanced method enables mining firms to identify diamonds embedded within large rock formations prior to processing, thereby minimizing the risk of damaging these valuable stones during extraction.
Raluca Anghel, the NDC’s head of external affairs, stated: “Natural diamonds are unmatched as true wonders of our planet. As well as highlighting newsworthy diamonds and their beauty, we also want to educate people about their role in the world and the incredible work that has brought them into being.” She emphasized the socio-economic benefits derived from diamond mining, noting that up to 80% of the rough diamond value can remain within local communities. This includes local purchasing, employment opportunities, social initiatives, and infrastructure investments, in addition to the taxes, royalties, and dividends paid to governments by the industry.
The Natural Diamond Council operates as a non-profit entity focused on promoting natural diamonds and highlighting their economic importance within diamond-producing nations, particularly regarding job creation and contributions to public finances.
