India Diamonds

India was the first known source of diamonds. There is evidence that alluvial diamonds were being extracted as far back as 800 B.C. Until the discovery of South African diamonds in the 19th century, all previous known diamond sources were secondary. That is, the diamonds were not found in their original host rock.

It is not known at what point Indian diamonds began reaching Europe. Periplus of the Erythean Sea, a navigational guide to the Indian Ocean and Red Sea written during the first century B.C., specified the Indian harbors for the diamond trade to Rome. After the Moslem invasion of India in the year 1000, the trade with Europe intensified. One of the earliest pieces of diamond set European jewelry dates back to 1074. Set with uncut stones, it is the Crown of St. Stephen of Hungary, and was a gift from a Byzantine nobleman.

A 17th century French traveler, Jean Baptiste Tavernier, provided a record of Indian diamond mining. In journeys to India between 1630 and 1688, Tavernier visited three mines Soumelpour, Raolconda, and Kollur. The Kollur mine was the source of the 108 carat KohiNur, the 280 carat Great Mogul, the 140 carat Regent, and the 112 carat rough Tavernier Blue. Tavernier sold the Tavernier Blue to Louis XIV of France, and it was later cut into three stones, including the 44 carat Hope Diamond. Soumelpour and Kollur were both in the Kingdom of Golconda, which today is located in the State of Hyderabad.

The method of extraction was relatively simple. A pit was dug, generally to a depth of 5.5 meters. The earth removed from the pit was placed into an enclosure, and water was poured over it. After several washings, only gravel and diamonds remained. Sieves were used to remove the smaller particles. There is evidence of pits reaching depths of 35 meters. Other mining was carried out in dry river beds on the surface.

No reliable records attest to the amount of diamonds mined in India before 1850, but an estimate as high as 30 million carats has been reported. Until the discovery of diamonds in Brazil in 1725, India was the major source of diamonds in the world; the only other source was Borneo (Kalimantan).

Mining Regions in India

Cuddapah: This is the most southern of the Indian diamond fields, on the banks of the Penner River. The most famous mine in the area is the Chinon. In the 19th century, mining was resumed, and several good finds were reported near Chennur. Diamonds were found in river beds at Condapetta and Woblapully.

Two of the most important mines in the region were Munimadagu and Wayra Karur, which is the reputed source of several of India's most famous stones.

Nandial: The Nandial mining region is some 20 km north of the Cuddapah region, closer to the Kistna River. Two of the better known mines in the region were Banganapalli and Ramulkota.

Golconda: This ancient mining area was home to the renowned mine at Kollur, the source of several of the world's legendary stones. Raolconda, of Tavernier fame, was also in the region.

Soumelpour: The mine at Hira Kund Island, on the Mahanadi River is the best known of the mines in the region. In 1809, it produced a 210.6 carat stone. Another important mine is Chutia Nagpur, which in the 16th and 17th centuries was the source of several large diamonds.

Panna: Although Tavernier journeyed near this region, the account of his travels did not mention whether the mines were in operation. Old diggings can still be seen at Ramkheria, Hinota, Shahidan, Majhgavan and Angore. Panna is at present the only region in India where mining of significance is being carried out.

Mining Activity in India

India is today a prominent member of the diamond community, but mainly as a manufacturing and trading center. Its mining activity is small in terms of world production.

The bulk of mining is in the Panna area in the State of Madhya Pradesh. Diamond rough is recovered from the nationalized mines of Majhgavan and Ramkheria, and is sold by auction by the National Minerals Development Corporation.

Output at the Panna mines is some 18,000 carats a year. Its rough is said to be 40% gem quality, 40% near gem quality, and 20% industrial. The rough is relatively large, reputed to have a faint tint, and is said to have a slightly lower specific gravity than South African stones.

Diamonds are also recovered by independent sub contractors, or thekadars. Their goods are auctioned, and they receive the proceeds after a 30% royalty has been deducted by the state and federal governments.

The long term prospects for the mines are bleak. The Ramkheria Mine is practically exhausted, and the Majhgavan Mine needs to be automated to become cost effective.

Diamonds are still mined in Andhra Pradesh at Cuddapah. Other alluvial deposits have been found at Orissa in Hirakud, although mining has yet to begin. More recently, the government of Rajasthan announced a survey at Ksarpura, in the Pratapgarh area of the Chittorgarh.

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