Diamonds have long held a strange fascination for people, and a few examples stand out for their rarity and beauty. One notable example is the 20.46-carat Okavango blue diamond, discovered in a Botswana mine in 2019. It remains among the most remarkable specimens of its kind, celebrated for its vivid blue hue and exceptional clarity.
The discovery occurred at the Orapa mine in the eastern part of Botswana, a region renowned for hosting one of the world’s most prolific diamond operations. In its rough form, the stone weighed 41.11 carats, and after careful cutting and polishing, it revealed a refined beauty weighing 20.46 carats.
The gem takes an oval shape and bears the name Okavango Blue, honoring the Okavango Delta, a landscape famous for its waterways and wildlife that has become a symbol of Botswana’s natural heritage.
The mineral wealth of the region is closely tied to the diamond trade that sustains a significant portion of the national economy and supports thousands of jobs across mining, processing, and export activities.
The caption accompanying the image of the mine that yielded the blue diamond emphasizes the significance of the find to the local mining industry and to Botswana as a whole.
Industry officials describe the moment of discovery as stunning from the outset. The team involved in the project noted that the polished 20-carat diamond drew wide admiration for its distinctive color and depth, a quality that distinguishes it in a market where blue stones are exceptionally rare. The discovery team attributes the marvel to the skill and experience of the mining company responsible for the exploration and evaluation.
A color caused by boron
The diamond owes its striking blue color to trace boron atoms within its crystalline lattice. Boron is a rare element in natural diamonds, and its presence shifts how light interacts with the stone, producing the deep blue hue that collectors and enthusiasts prize. Geological evidence indicates the boron-bearing rocks originated in oceanic settings. Through the long and dynamic process of plate tectonics, the material was incorporated into the Earth’s mantle around one to three billion years ago, when the diamonds formed deep underground.
The Okavango Blue is believed to have formed at substantial depths, emerging through geological activity that carried it closer to the surface over millions of years. The journey from deep underground to the surface of the Orapa region reflects the complex history of subduction and mantle flow that shapes many of the planet’s rarest gems.
Commentators note that very few blue diamonds of comparable quality have appeared on the market during the past decade. Sector experts regard the Okavango Blue as one of the finest examples of this color category, with its color grade and cut aligning with the highest standards in the industry.
It is worth noting that while the stone is described as a Type IIb fancy deep blue with an oval brilliant cut, its current status as a rough stone underscores the ongoing potential for further enhancement and market debut as it transitions from rough to a fully faceted gemstone.
Diamonds with such color rarity make up a tiny fraction of all mined stones, estimated around 0.01 percent worldwide. The blue family joins other rare hues like pink, green, purple, orange, and red as some of the most coveted varieties. In contrast, yellow and brown tones are more common among gem-quality stones, though still valued for their unique character.
Industry observers have discussed recent market movements and pointed to other notable discoveries that could shift value dynamics. A pink carbon diamond known as Lulo Rose has been cited in conversations about the most expensive stones on record, reflecting continued interest in rare color and large carat weight gems from Africa and neighboring regions. Like the Okavango diamond, other colored stones from similar settings highlight the ongoing impact of geological processes and mining activity on global luxury markets.
Environmental and economic considerations continue to shape mining strategies in Botswana and across southern Africa, where diamond production remains a cornerstone of national wealth and employment. The balance between responsible mining practices and the extraction of valuable resources remains central to the industry as it evolves in response to global demand and regulatory frameworks.
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