“Rare 20-Carat Blue Diamond Unearthed in Botswana: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Find”
BOTSWANA – In a remarkable and unprecedented discovery, an oval-shaped blue diamond weighing 20.46 carats has been found at the Orapa mine in Botswana. Named the Okavango Blue Diamond, this extraordinary gem is considered one of the rarest in the world. Its curious azure hue holds many secrets about our Earth, captivating experts and enthusiasts alike.
Described as “very special” by Marcus ter Haar of the Okavango Diamond Company, the 20-carat polished diamond’s unique coloration has amazed all who have viewed it. Believed to be unlike any blue stone seen before, the diamond’s origin from Botswana makes it an even more exceptional find.
According to reports by PopSci, the Okavango Blue Diamond is thought to have emerged from a staggering depth of approximately 668 kilometers (415 miles) underground. Boron, a rare element, is abundant in the diamond, surpassing the nitrogen content that is typically prevalent in most diamonds. Scientists theorize that this phenomenon is linked to subduction, a process involving tectonic plates colliding, driving boron from the ocean into the Earth’s depths. This remarkable event occurred around three billion years ago, shedding new light on our understanding of subduction through the study of rare precious gems like the Okavango blue diamond.
Originally discovered by the government-owned Okavango Diamond Company (ODC), this gem was hailed as a “once-in-a-lifetime find.” Initially weighing 41.11 carats in its raw form, the diamond is now graded as a Type IIb “Fancy Deep Blue” with an Oval Brilliant Cut, making it one of the most polished and highly regarded blue diamonds in existence.
Blue diamonds, along with pink, green, violet, orange, and red diamonds, are among the rarest varieties found in select mines worldwide. Diamonds, consisting of carbon atoms, are typically colorless, but impurities contribute to their various hues. Colored diamonds account for a mere 0.01 percent of all diamonds mined globally, adding to the Okavango Blue Diamond’s extraordinary rarity and allure.
Meanwhile, rivaling the Okavango diamond is the Lulo Rose, a pink diamond that may soon claim the title of the world’s most expensive diamond. Also discovered in a mine where multiple rocks of the same hue have been found, the Lulo Rose’s origin is attributed to continental stretching and eruptions of diatremes on the surface.
As our understanding of diamond formation and distribution continues to evolve, recent discoveries have shed light on how these remarkable gemstones journey to the surface. These advancements provide hope for the future discovery of more extraordinary diamonds, as the allure and mystery surrounding these precious gems continue to captivate both scientists and diamond enthusiasts worldwide.