It is hard to imagine now, with diamonds mined across several continents, but for centuries the entire world's supply came from one place. India was the only significant source, and its story shaped how diamonds became so treasured.
India, the original home of diamonds
Diamonds were first gathered in India from river gravels, particularly in the south, around the Krishna River and the region of Golconda. Stones were found by hand, washed out of the riverbeds and sorted by eye.
Golconda became so famous that its name is still used today to describe diamonds of exceptional clarity. Some of history's most legendary stones came from these deposits, and they travelled along trade routes to royal courts across Asia and Europe, which helped build the mystique of the diamond.
The Brazil discovery in the 1720s
The monopoly ended in the early 1720s, when diamonds were found in Brazil, in the region of Minas Gerais. Prospectors had been finding the stones in their search for gold, and soon Brazil was supplying the European market in volume. India's output was already declining, and for much of the 18th century Brazil became the main source. For the first time, diamonds were no longer coming from just one place.
South Africa changes everything
The biggest shift came in the late 1860s, when a diamond was found in South Africa, and soon after the rush to Kimberley began. Unlike the riverbed finds of India and Brazil, South African diamonds were discovered in rich underground pipes, which meant they could be mined on a vast scale.
Large companies took over, supply grew rapidly, and diamonds moved from being a luxury of kings towards something many more people could aspire to own.
Where diamonds come from today
Today, production is spread across Russia, Botswana, Canada, Australia and Angola, among others, while India has become the heart of diamond cutting and polishing instead. Dubai sits at the centre of the trade, connecting rough supply with buyers worldwide.
Knowing this history makes every diamond feel a little more special. If you would like to see how that story lives on in modern jewellery, visit Azzallure and explore diamonds with real heritage behind them.