Long before the diamond mines of South Africa or the sapphire fields of Sri Lanka became famous, India was the world's primary source of fine gemstones. The Golconda region produced legendary diamonds including the Hope Diamond and the Koh-i-Noor. Kashmir gave the world its most valuable sapphires. Rajasthan, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu continue to yield a variety of gem materials.
Rajasthan: Emerald and Garnet
The Rajgarh mines in Ajmer district are India's only significant source of emerald. Production has been sporadic, and the quality varies, but fine Rajasthani emeralds with good colour have been documented. The state also produces almandine garnet (used in traditional Rajput jewellery) and moonstone.
Odisha and Andhra Pradesh: Alexandrite and Chrysoberyl
India's Deobhog region in Odisha and parts of Andhra Pradesh produce alexandrite and cat's eye chrysoberyl. Indian alexandrites showing good colour change (green to brownish-red) are valued in the international market, though they rarely match the quality of top Brazilian or Russian specimens.
Kashmir: Sapphire
The Kashmir sapphire deposit at Paddar (Kishtwar district) was discovered in 1881 and produced intensely for only a few years. The velvety blue colour, caused by microscopic rutile inclusions that scatter light, created the "Kashmir blue" standard against which all sapphires are measured. Occasional finds still surface, but systematic mining has not resumed.
Tamil Nadu and Karnataka: Corundum
Southern India has produced rubies and sapphires from alluvial deposits for centuries. The Karur district in Tamil Nadu yields blue and pink sapphires, though most are heavily included and require treatment. Mysore in Karnataka was historically known for fine rubies, and small-scale mining continues in scattered locations.
India's Role Today
While India's domestic mining output has declined compared to its historical peak, the country remains central to the global gemstone industry as the world's largest cutting and polishing centre. Jaipur processes coloured gemstones from around the world, and Surat is the diamond cutting capital. Indian gem testing laboratories, including GTCL, serve this massive processing industry by certifying stones that arrive from every major mining region globally.
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