“This is history in the making, for us and Botswana as well,” said managing director Naseem Lahri, adding the diamond sits in third position among the world’s largest diamonds.

Last month, Botswana diamond firm Debswana said it had recovered the “third-largest” stone in the world at 1 098-carats on 1 June.

The latest find solidifies Botswana as a leader on the world stage of the largest stones, accounting for six in the top 10 list.

The biggest diamond ever discovered in the world was the 3 106-carat Cullinan diamond found in South Africa in 1905.

Parts of that diamond adorn the British crown jewels.

Botswana president Mokgweetsi Masisi welcomed the “riveting moment” and the growing frequency of diamond discoveries in the country, promising that the southern African country will have a long-lasting legacy.

Botswana is Africa’s leading diamond producer.