India
supplied the world's demand for diamonds from ancient times till the
second decade of the eighteenth century, when the Brazilian fields were
discovered. Since 1867, South Africa became the most important
producer, producing about 95% of the world's diamonds. These Indian
diamond fields were exploited mostly by primitive people and by
indigenous methods of mining. It is very likely that the Indian fields
have not been thoroughly and systematically exploited; there may be
areas of diamond gravels still remaining to be exploited. Since modem
methods came into vogue, no large enterprise has attempted to work the
Indian fields as Brazil and South Africa proved rich and produced large
quantities. Now the Brazilian fields are slowly decaying; in South
Africa the pipe mines have been closed down, and when the present
alluvials became exhausted, it may be that the Indian fields may stand
the chance of a re-examination.
It
has been observed ' that both practical and scientific opinion is,
however, in favour of the explanation that the lessened trade in modem
times is more due to the conservative character of the diggers in
keeping their art a secret or to the exhaustion of the surface workings
which their appliances and means are alone suitable for, than to the
complete exhaustion or non-existence of fairly rich unexplored diamond
beds. A few centuries ago, diamonds were undoubtedly more extensively
produced in India than at the present day. India, was, indeed the first
and for a long period known to the European nations.'
Ancient
observers have recorded that Indian diamond mines were held for
centuries by poor workmen, unaided by science, who had to depend on
their hereditary skill. They had also to battle against the adversity
and persecution engendered through national disturbances that
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