Botswana's diamond production by value exceeded Russia's in 2010, according to figures published Friday by the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. The KP numbers put the African nation's rough diamond production at $2.5 billion for the year reported, compared to Russia's production of $2.38 billion.

Canada was ranked #3, with diamond production valued at $2.3 billion. South Africa – which produced $1.8 billion worth of rough stones – took the #4 place, followed by Angola ($976 million) and Namibia ($744 million.)

Zimbabwe – whose diamond exports remain under international embargo – broke into the list of the world's top ten diamond producing nations, having produced $334 million worth of rough diamonds in 2010.

The KP put the total value of rough diamonds produced globally in 2010 at $12 billion, a 39% increase over 2009, a year still affected by the financial crisis. By volume, global diamond production increased 7% year-on-year to 133.12 million carats.