A 2,492-carat diamond was discovered in the Karowe Mine in Botswana recently, Canada-based Lucara Diamond Corp. announced Wednesday.

“We are ecstatic about the recovery of this extraordinary 2,492-carat diamond. … This discovery reinforces Karowe’s position as a truly world-class diamond mine,” Lucara CEO William Lamb said in a release.

The gem was presented to Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Thursday, according to Reuters.

“This is history in the making. I am very proud. It is a product of Botswana,” Naseem Lahri, the Botswana managing director for Lucara, told The Associated Press.

At 2,492 carats, the gem is thought to be the second-biggest ever mined after the Cullinan Diamond, a 3,106-carat jewel found in 1905 in what is now South Africa.

The Cullinan Diamond was ultimately cut down into smaller gems, with some landing in the British crown jewels, according to AP.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.