The diamonds were first found in the southern part of India for the first time, in Golkunda, Andhra Pradesh, India. The main centre for trade of the amends existed there from centuries, though the diamond markets as a whole were available world over. The diamonds were found from under the masses of clay, heaps of sand dunes, in the gravel or pebble pits in the river-beds. The French traveller, Tavernier, was the first foreigner who saw during his tours in the seventeenth century the places in India where the diamonds were being mined out, cut and polished for trade. Later in 1725, in Brazil the diamond mines were discovered beside the gold mines there. However, the natives there did not know that the objects which they used for bettings in the game of cards, as entertainment, were indeed the top jewels in the human world. The utility of the diamonds and their importance were first appreciated when an experienced gemologist’s eye fell upon them.
During those days, Brazil was being ruled by the Portuguese rulers, who had started realizing levies from the mine owners. That was an exercise which the Brazilians never liked and the quantum of work in the mines had begun falling. Consequently, the profit shares plummeted rapidly. However, after Brazil won its independence this obstacle was soon removed.
Till 1867 the diamonds were being traded between India and Brazil. It was about this time when almost coincidentally the mines of diamonds were discovered in South Africa. A farmer there once had found a piece of very shining stone. Examined, it was found to be a piece of diamond. About two years later once again another local boy found a stone of similar nature and look. Later, this stone was sold at the rate of eleven thousand pounds. Soon the word spread rounds and the people came to learn about the diamond mines in that locality. The search for more mines began seriously. Later many more diamonds were found, and the entire locality soon turned into a large township, named as, Kimberly. Even today, world over, Kimberly is reputed to be a special place as one of the largest diamond trade centres.
In South Africa, the diamonds were found first on the surface of the ground itself. The mines were discovered later, and ever since thereafter, the diamonds were being mined out for trade. More the hauls from underneath rose, more the sophisticated machines were pressed into service for the mining purposes. Many companies came into the picture to give a highly organised shape to the entire mining business by investing capital. One Cycil Rodes opened a prospective company named, De Beers Mining Company. Later, this company expanded to become the famous De Beers Consolidated Mining Company. It purchased most of the mines in the country, and today the company is reputed to be the most established name in the production of diamonds world over. In the trade of the rough or uncut diamonds the largest centre is in London. The rough diamonds are distributed from there to people who would cut these and also deal in these.
In 1893, a company was established in the name of London Diamond Syndicate, which started to deal in and import the rough or uncut diamond slabs from South Africa in an organised fashion. For good many years the trade continued successfully for the London-based house, with utmost efficiency however, many more the mines were being discovered soon and the production of diamonds increased in South Africa. The government there began realizing the importance of creating more balanced and organised system for distributing rough diamond slabs. In 1929, therefore, a governmental agency was incepted and named as Diamond Control Board. In 1930 another corporation was incepted and named as Diamond Corporation Limited, which soon bought up all the rights & liabilities of the London-based diamond syndicate. Another company also came into existence soon, which took over the responsibilities of distributing the black diamonds, industrial diamonds and the borts. However, the latest named was soon closed, in 1932, and all the distribution jobs were transferred to the jurisdiction of the Diamond Corporation. The native producers of diamonds, who had started many organisations were now under pressure to create a Diamond Trading Company Limited, a company for themselves, to trade the entire diamonds produced in the country.
In the African continent, apart from the South Africa, the diamonds are also found in countries in south-west areas of the continent. In some places the diamonds were found even at about one-foot depth under the ground. However, the gems or the jewels found there are rather small in size and are tinged with reddishness. These are not as much precious even. As it is, the continent today is the principal production centre of diamonds. About 95 percent diamonds world over are produced here.
In the African mines, diamonds are also found in the shapes of pipes and rods. In India and Brazil if the diamonds are found even weighing over two hundred carats, the place would be famous over night. But Africa had mined out a rough diamond slab weighing three thousand one hundred six carats, the heaviest or produced so far and the record still continues unbroken. There also hangs a tale. It is said, the famous gemologist Joseph Asscher was invited to cut that huge slab of diamond. He had taken months inlooking for the easiest process to cut that. When indeed, one day, he embarked upon the job, the iron-lade instrument he was using broke, but the diamond remained unscratched. After some days when again he approached the job in a highly organized plan and pre-thinking and was actually able to cut that, he dropped unconscious onto the ground, having seen the chiselled slab.
In Zimbabwe also, in the dried beds of some ancient rivers, the diamonds used to be found. The place was Gwallow in the jungle of Somabul. The diamonds here were found assorted along with the topazes, blue sapphires, crysoberyls and others. The diamonds were also found in the West African Gold coast, Congo, and Angola. Here too these were found beneath the dry river beds. These are generally small and retain good moisture. However, in Congo about 66 percent cases the stones are not really gems.
In the New South Wales mines too the diamonds were found. However, production or mining there was suddenly reduced. In Borneo also diamonds were being mined, which was gradually minimised owing hardness in the stones.
In South American countries and British Guyana, high quality diamonds are still being mined. These diamonds weigh about ten to fifteen carats. In Sierra Leone and Tanzanika also high quality diamonds are being mined. The diamond mines also exist in Queensland of Australia and Arakans, Indiana and California in United States.
In India the diamonds were mainly found in Panna locality in Madhya Pradesh. Other areas near Panna for such deposits are Charwari, Kothi etc. In southern Indian locale Golkunda the diamonds were first found. Though these mines are now closed, in some small places in Chennai the diamond deposits are still being located. The places in southern Indian territories, where the diamond deposits have been found are: Anantapur, Bellary, Belpally, Maalpilli, Petyal, Kothpetta, Wahapa, Gurupur, Guntur, Margal, Mulvaram, Polylitt, Gotpilly, Usttapally, Karnool, Bannur, Wastpur, Gurumphot, Devnur, Dhoni, Gajetpilly, Gudiyad, Madhvaram and Pollur. Some diamond deposits were also found in Kalahandi, Palman Khima and Sambalpur region in Orissa. However, considering the production level in the other countries world over, especially that in South African mines, Indian production level is very low. There is a great difference between the products of Golkunda and those from South African mines. The diamonds mined out from Golkunda mines have elasticity, shine and high degree of attractiveness. Comparative to these the diamonds from South African mines generally retain less elasticity and low degree of attractiveness.
