The massive Russian Federation and tiny country of Botswana share top honors on 2022’s list of the most prolific rough diamond producers in the world.
![](https://thejewelerblog.files.wordpress.com/2023/10/lucaradiamond342.3.jpg?w=575)
The Russian Federation extracted 41.9 million carats of diamonds in 2022, placing it on top of the leaderboard, far ahead of #2 Botswana (24.7 million carats) and #3 Canada (16.2 million carats).
The rankings rejigger when we analyze the diamond output in terms of value, with Botswana rising to the top of the list ($4.9 billion), followed by the Russian Federation ($3.5 billion) and Angola ($1.9 billion).
Of the world’s 195 countries, only 22 engage in diamond mining. And of that group, the top 10 diamond mining countries accounted for 99.2% of all rough diamonds mined in 2022. World production was 120.2 million carats at a value of $16.2 billion.
Here’s the current rankings of the Top-10 diamond producing countries by carat weight and by value. The stats are based on statistics compiled by Kimberly Process (a diamond-industry certification organization) as well as Dr. Ashok Damarupurshad, a precious metals and diamond specialist in South Africa.
Russian Federation: Carat Ranking #1 / Value Ranking #2
According to Dr. Damarupurshad’s analysis, Russia produced more than a third (35%) of the world’s rough diamonds in 2022 (by weight) and a little over one-fifth of its value.
Botswana: Carat Ranking #2 / Value Ranking #1
Botswana is famous for its gem-quality rough diamonds, six of which rank in the Top 10 of the largest rough diamonds ever discovered. That quality factor is why the country ranked #1 in value, topping its Russian rival by 40% even though its carat output was only 59% of Russia’s total.
Canada: Carat Ranking #3 / Value Ranking #4
Dr. Damarupurshad noted that although Canada is also known for producing gem-quality diamonds, its production is on a declining trend as older, richer pipes at the Ekati and Diavik mines deplete. Nevertheless, Canada still ranked #3 in production (16.2 million carats) and #4 in value ($1.8 billion) in 2022.
The next seven countries on the list are all on the continent of Africa. In fact, eight of the top 10 diamond-producing countries are African, accounting for 51% of the world’s diamond output by weight, and 66% by value.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Carat Ranking #4 / Value Ranking #11
The disparity in this countries rankings reflects the prevalence of lower-grade rough. The DRC generated 9.9 million carats with a value of just $65 million. The vast majority of diamonds produced in the DRC are used for industrial purposes.
South Africa: Carat Ranking #5 / Value Ranking #5
The home of the 3,106-carat Cullinan Diamond, the largest diamond ever unearthed, South Africa produces consistently high-quality diamonds and has been doing it for more than a century. The Cullinan was found in the Premier Mine in 1905. In 2022, South Africa generated 9.6 million carats valued at $1.5 billion.
Angola: Carat Ranking #6 / Value Ranking #3
Angola produced 8.7 million carats, but banked $1.9 billion — a number topped only by Botswana and Russia. The high value is a testament to a finer grade of rough material unearthed in 2022. Dr. Damarupurshad reported a marginal increase in carats in 2022, but a 20% increase in value compared with 2021.
At this point in the list, production and value take a big step down.
Zimbabwe: Carat Ranking #7 / Value Ranking #7
Zimbabwe’s output of 4.4 million carats was about half of the tally of #6 Angola, and the diamond value of $424 million was barely a fourth of Angola’s total. Zimbabwe’s overall output improved compared to 2021, but the value retreated by nearly 40%.
Namibia: Carat Ranking #8 / Value Ranking #6
This country on the southwest coast of Africa produces gem-quality diamonds sourced largely from off-shore activities. In 2022, Namibia produced 2 million carats with a value of $1.2 billion. Dr. Damarupurshad called Namibian production in 2022 “the diamond mining highlight of the year.” The value of diamond output grew by 50% and the price-per-carat grew to $601 — the highest of the Top-20 diamond mining countries in the world.
Lesotho: Carat Ranking #9 / Value Ranking #8
In 2022, this tiny, landlocked country which is completely surrounded by South Africa, scored a #9 spot with a rough diamond output of 727,000 carats and a #8 spot on the value chart with $314 million in revenue. In 2021, Lesotho diamonds generated the highest price per carat ($756), but the country failed to maintain that status in 2022 ($432 per carat).
Sierra Leone: Carat Ranking #10 / Value Ranking #9
Sierra Leone barely managed to remain in the Top 10 in 2022 based on production (688,000 carats) and value ($143 million). Both numbers were slightly down from the country’s performance in 2021.
Credit: Image of 342-carat rough diamond mined in Botswana, courtesy of Lucara Diamond.
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