Which Is the Only State in India That Produces Diamonds?

India has an illustrious history of diamond trade and was formerly the only known source of natural diamonds in the world. The country is home to some famous diamonds like the Koh-i-Noor, the Hope Diamond and the Regent Diamond among others. India occupies the position of the world’s top producer of diamond cutting and polishing. As far as commercial diamond mining is concerned, India is now limited to one state.

Madhya Pradesh is the sole state in the country which is engaged in the commercial production of diamonds. The state has the Panna district which is the only diamond mine that is still in operation in the country.

Which Is the One Indian State Is Involved in Diamonds Production?

Madhya Pradesh is the only state in India which produces natural diamonds commercially.

The Panna district of the state contains the only working diamond mine in India, thus making it the only state in the country to produce natural diamonds.

India may have small-scale production of diamonds but it still serves as one of the main players in the diamond industry in the world by being involved in cutting, polishing, and exporting diamond products.

Which Places in Madhya Pradesh Have Diamonds?

Panna district situated in northeastern Madhya Pradesh is considered to be the first diamond-producing region in India.

Majhgawan Diamond Mine of Panna is the only diamond mine operating in India at present. The mine is run by National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) and is involved in the extraction of diamonds from kimberlite ore.

Other than organized mining, the residents of Madhya Pradesh are allowed to search for diamonds in specified shallow mining sites.

Why Is Panna Known?

Panna is famous for more than diamond mining.

The district has the following notable features,

• It has India’s only running diamond mine.
• It has quality deposits of diamonds.
• It is rich in mineral resources.
• It possesses one of the top tiger habitats in India (Panna Tiger Reserve).
• It has a bright history in Bundelkhand.

Due to its diamond deposits, Panna is called India’s Diamond District.

Diamond Mining History in India

India has one of the oldest traditions of diamond mining in the world.

For centuries, it had been the main supplier of diamonds until discoveries in Brazil and later Africa.

Previously, diamonds were obtained mainly from the Golconda region (in Andhra Pradesh), which is known for some of the best diamonds.

A few of the diamonds produced from Indian mines are,

• Koh-i-Noor
• Hope Diamond
• Regent Diamond
• Orlov Diamond
• Darya-i-Noor

Until the 1700s, India remained a leader in diamond mining.

Present Day Diamond Production in India

India is known to produce natural diamonds from Madhya Pradesh only, yet they have a major role in the global diamond industry.

The countries from which India imports rough diamonds are,

• Botswana
• Russia
• Angola
• Canada
• South Africa

These rough diamonds are then processed in India by cutting, polishing, grading and sending them to foreign markets.

About 90% of diamonds available in the world are processed in India.

The Cutting and Polishing Capital of the Country

As mentioned before, diamonds are mined only in Madhya Pradesh, whereas the processing of diamonds is carried out in another state, which is Gujarat, more specifically its city Surat, which is famous as Diamond City of India.

Surat is known to being the largest diamond processing hub in the World, where numerous diamonds have been polished processed by employing latest techniques and skilled workers.

Leading Diamond Producer Countries

No other countries in the world contribute much to the natural diamond production as much as those five listed below.

Rank	Country	Major Mining Region
1	Russia	Yakutia (Sakha Republic)
2	Botswana	Jwaneng, Orapa
3	Canada	Northwest Territories
4	Democratic Republic of Congo	Kasai Region
5	South Africa	Kimberley, Venetia

The leading country in natural diamond mining is Russia.

Leading Diamond Exporter Countries

Though India produces very few natural diamonds, it occupies the first position in terms of diamond export as it is effectively shipping cut and polished ones.

Rank	Country	Major Export
1	India	Cut and polished diamonds
2	United Arab Emirates	Rough and polished diamonds
3	Belgium	Polished diamonds
4	Israel	Polished diamonds
5	Botswana	Rough diamonds

The diamond industry in India is of great significance for the global jewellery production and trade.

Difference Between Diamond Mining and Diamond Processing

Diamonds are mined from the earth through diamond mining.

The diamond processing process is the following,

• Cutting
• Polishing
• Grading
• Certification
• Jewelry manufacturing

While diamond mining is widely practiced in countries like Russia and Botswana, India is a leader in the diamond processing market.

Interesting Facts About Diamond Industry in India

• Madhya Pradesh is the only state where natural diamonds are mined.
• Only diamond mine in the country is in Panna.
• Majhgawan Diamond Mine is in the hands of NMDC.
• Historically, India was the largest diamond-producing nation.
• Golconda diamonds attained recognition in the old days.
• Diamond processing takes place mostly in Surat.
• India imports nearly all rough diamonds and re-exports polished diamonds.