VALUATION OF DIAMONDS

Sage Varahamihira had also valued diamond and estab­lished a standard for the purpose. Eight seeds of mustard forms one grain of rice. The diamond piece weighing equivalent of 20 such grains of rice should cost two lakhs of kasharpana (Value used during that periods). Indeed a highly expensive jewel, diamond's prices continue to go up upto twelve rattis and after that at each three rattis, its price just doubles.

(The conversion table for various weighing systems for gemstones is:

1 Gram = 5 Carats = 1000 Milligrams

200 Milligrams = 1 Carat or = 100 Cents

182 Milligrams = 1 Standard Ratti (Stones Ratti)

It is advisable if the stones are bought as per their weight in Carats as it is a standard term throughout the world. But in India, many times you get stones made following the system of Savaya and sold in their weight as Rattis. This should also be acceptable.

(Cf. Ratna Aur Jyotish, Page 39).