Indian Diamonds were esteemed for their beauty, glamour, size and polish for centuries. In the then India, the term "Indian Diamonds" was used to describe almost any stone that was reinforced in one of the numerous mines of South-eastern Asian location like, Golconda, Hindustan and Rawalkonda. 8 main "find-spots" for diamonds were also identified and scripted in this ancient text and each has been identified with a rare diamond color. While the diamonds found along the banks of the Vena (Wainganga) were considered "pure" for their colorless lustre, the diamonds from the Himalayan region were marked as "copper" coloured. The brilliant gold shimmer of the diamonds from the Kalinga region and indeed the pink romance of the Kosala diamonds further added glamour to Indian diamonds.

The world"s love of diamonds had its start in India, where diamonds were gathered from the country"s rivers and streams.

History of Indian Diamonds
The historical records unfurl that it is during the 4th century BC, India was one of the first countries to mine the gleaming gem, Diamond. At the time of their discovery, diamonds were valued because of their strength and brilliance, and for their ability to refract light and engrave metal. Until the 18th century, India was thought to be the only source of diamonds. When the Indian diamond mines were depleted, the quest for alternate sources began.

Quality of Indian Diamond
In the pages of the ancient treatise on gemology known as “Utpalaparimal”, the distinctiveness of an ideal Indian diamond is described as a stone "having purity (without stain), lightness, six-pointedness, and being a well formed octahedron with 8 facets and pronounced sharp edges". A diamond has to go through a lot before it reaches the jeweller"s display case. It forms deep in the earth under extreme heat and pressure. It"s ejected violently upward until it arrives at or near the earth"s surface. It"s forced from its hiding place by nature or by man. Then it"s cleaved and cut and polished until its natural beauty shines through.

Famous Indian Diamonds
The most valued Indian diamonds were known as the "Diamonds of Golconda" and the shimmering stones like the "Hope Diamond", "Koh-i-Noor Diamond", "Darya-i-Noor", "Orlov Diamond" and "Sanc Diamond" still stands as the logo of the richness of Golconda diamonds.

However, it is the diamond mine of Golkonda in India that became a legend around the world, which is now a ruined city of south India. It was the capital of ancient kingdom of Golkonda and served as the diamond centre in earlier days.