Farmer Discovers Diamond Worth Over $7,000 While Mining; Gem Set To Be Auctioned

A farmer working at a diamond mine in India had a stroke of luck Wednesday as he found an 11.8-carat diamond worth thousands of dollars.

Pratap Singh Yadav, who hails from Panna district in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, found the diamond from a mine in the Patti area while working on the leased mine, diamond officer Ravi Patel said, according to NDTV.

The Panna district houses several such diamond mines where people usually hunt for pricey gems. However, anyone who finds diamonds in these mines should hand them over to authorities, who then auction them and give money to the person who found the diamond after deducting the government royalty, Behind Woods reported. Yadav is also expected to follow the same norm, the outlet reported.

Patel said that the diamond will be put up for auction and the price will be fixed as per the government guidelines. According to private estimates, the diamond could be worth $7,4910.50 (INR 50 lacs), NDTV reported.

Yadav said he plans to start a business and fund the education of his children with the auction money.

"I come from a very poor background. I have a small farm. I have been working in a diamond mine for the last 3 months. I will start a business with the money I get from this diamond stone. I will also use this amount for the future of my children," Yadav was quoted as saying by Behind Woods.

Panna district reportedly is a treasure trove of diamonds.

In September 2020, an Arkansas man found a nine-carat diamond at the Crater of Diamonds State Park, the world’s only active diamond site accessible to the public. The man, identified as Kevin Kinard, made the discovery on the southeast side of the park’s 37.5-acre diamond search area. The man said he initially mistook the diamond for crystal and then a piece of glass. The diamond was said to be the second-largest one to be found in the park’s history.

Kinrad was shocked when the park officials identified the diamond after reviewing his findings. He was allowed to keep the diamond as per the park's rule.