Diamonds, the hardest natural substance known to humanity, have captivated civilizations since the dawn of recorded history. From the riverbanks of ancient India to the royal treasuries of Rome, these extraordinary gems have served as symbols of divine power, stores of wealth, and objects of unparalleled beauty.

This comprehensive history traces the remarkable journey of diamonds through the ancient world, from their earliest discovery around 3000 BCE to the twilight of antiquity in 500 CE. During this vast span of time, diamonds transformed from mysterious stones found in Indian rivers to coveted treasures that crossed continents, shaped economies, and influenced the course of empires.

Their story is not merely one of material value, but of cultural exchange, technological innovation, and the eternal human fascination with the rare and beautiful.

Find the complete history of diamonds here: ‘A Complete History Of Diamonds: From The Ancient Era To Today‘. Interesting in finding out how diamonds enable quantum computing? Click here.

A History Of Diamonds In The Ancient Era (3000 BCE – 500 CE)

The history of diamonds in the ancient era represents one of humanity’s longest-standing relationships with precious stones. For over three millennia, from approximately 3000 BCE to 500 CE, India stood as the world’s sole source of these extraordinary gems, establishing trade networks, valuation systems, and cultural significances that would echo through the ages. This period witnessed the evolution of diamond appreciation from their initial discovery in alluvial deposits to their integration into complex economic systems, religious practices, and international trade routes that connected the Indian subcontinent with civilizations as distant as Rome and China.

Chronology

• c. 3000 BCE – Earliest evidence of diamonds being known in India, with the gems found in alluvial deposits along rivers in the Deccan region [1]
• c. 800-600 BCE – Double diamond drill technique present in western India, demonstrating early technological use of diamonds for drilling [2]
• c. 700-500 BCE – Diamond mining as an organized industry appears to have originated in India during this period [2]
• c. 600 BCE – The Mahajanapada Empire establishes standardized units of measurement for diamonds using the Tandula (equivalent to a grain of rice) as the base unit [3, 4]
• c. 600 BCE – Development of the Rupaka currency system in the Mahajanapada Empire, with diamonds valued at specific rates (20 Tandulas = 200,000 Rupaka) [3, 4]
• c. 600-500 BCE – Indian punch-marked coins (Karshapanas) begin circulation, contemporary with early diamond trade [5]
• c. 515 BCE – Achaemenid conquest of the Indus Valley potentially brings knowledge of Indian diamonds to Persian Empire [6]
• c. 500 BCE – Persians mint coins in the Indus region, facilitating trade that may have included diamonds [6]
• c. 484 BCE – Greek historian Herodotus becomes first Greek writer to mention display of precious stones (possibly including diamonds) in palaces and temples [7]
• c. 400 BCE – Greek physician Ctesias publishes “Indika” containing travellers’ tales about India, including stories of incredibly rich diamond deposits guarded by griffins [2, 8]
• c. 380 BCE – Chaman Hazuri hoard in Kabul contains Greek and Indian coins, indicating active trade networks between regions [5]
• 4th century BCE – Buddhist texts begin describing diamonds as well-known precious stones, though without details of cutting techniques [2, 9]
• c. 371-287 BCE – Greek philosopher Theophrastus writes “On Stones” (315 BCE), first systematic mineralogical treatise mentioning stones suitable for engraving [10, 11]
• c. 350 BCE – Sanskrit grammar text “Ashtadhyayi” by Panini categorizes diamonds among ancient Indian coins and currency [5]
• c. 327-326 BCE – Alexander the Great invades India, potentially bringing back diamonds to Greece after defeating King Porus [12, 13]
• 320-296 BCE – “Arthashastra” manuscript by Kautilya (Chanakya) describes Ratna Pariksha, an ancient science for testing gemstones including diamonds, used by the Superintendent of Treasury [1, 3, 14]
• 320-296 BCE – Sanskrit manuscript contains earliest known written reference to diamonds in India [1, 3]
• c. 300 BCE – Diamond mining extends along 300 km of the Krishna River, with most intensive mining in a 60 km zone from Kollur Mine to Paritala [2]
• 3rd century BCE – Sanskrit price list values a 20-Tandula diamond at 200,000 Rupaka in the Indian currency system [3, 4]
• c. 200 BCE – First contact between China and the West through Central Asian trade routes, potentially including diamond trade [15]
• c. 130 BCE – Han Dynasty officially opens the Silk Road, creating potential routes for diamond trade between India and China [15, 16]
• c. 100 BCE-100 CE – Mir Zakah hoards contain evidence of continued trade including precious goods between India and western regions [5]
• 79 CE – Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder writes in “Natural History” about diamonds being washed from river gravel in India and describes them as “the most valuable, not only of precious stones, but of all things in this world” [2, 17, 18]
• 79 CE – Pliny describes diamonds being used by engravers: “These particles are held in great request by engravers, who enclose them in iron, and are enabled thereby, with the greatest facility, to cut the very hardest substances known” [14]
• 1st century CE – Roman women show great fondness for Indian diamonds according to Pliny, leading to significant gold drain from Rome to India (100 million sesterces annually) [19, 20]
• 1st century CE – Diamond trade reaches its peak between Rome and India through Red Sea ports and Persian Gulf routes [19, 20, 21]
• c. 100-200 CE – Ptolemaic period in Egypt sees limited use of diamonds, possibly imported from India for drilling harder gemstones [22]
• c. 200-300 CE – Buddhism spreads along Silk Road trade routes, potentially facilitating cultural exchange including knowledge of diamonds [16]
• c. 300-400 CE – Diamonds continue to be mined in Golconda region, though Roman trade begins to decline [2]
• c. 400-500 CE – Diamond mining continues in India with reduced international trade as Roman Empire weakens [2]
• c. 400-500 CE – Gupta Empire in India produces silver coins (Rupaka) maintaining traditional currency systems that included diamond valuation [23]

Final Thoughts

The ancient history of diamonds reveals far more than the story of a precious stone – it illuminates the interconnected nature of early civilizations and the profound impact of trade on cultural development. From their humble discovery in Indian riverbeds to their elevation as the most prized possessions of emperors and kings, diamonds traversed continents and centuries, carrying with them technological knowledge, economic systems, and spiritual beliefs.

The monopoly India held on diamond production for over 3,500 years shaped not only the subcontinent’s economy but also influenced global trade patterns that would persist well into the modern era. As we reflect on this ancient legacy, we see that diamonds were never merely beautiful objects, but catalysts for human innovation, symbols of divine power, and bridges between distant cultures.

Their enduring allure, first recognized by ancient Indian river miners and celebrated by Roman naturalists, continues to captivate us today, making diamonds truly eternal witnesses to human civilization’s grandest aspirations and achievements.

Thanks for reading!

References

[1] Family & Co. Jewelers – Diamond History of India – https://www.familyjewelers.com/blog/2019/Oct/06/diamond-history-india/

[2] Wikipedia – Diamond mining in India – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_mining_in_India

[3] The Mysterious India – Diamond Mining in Ancient India – https://www.themysteriousindia.net/diamond-mining-in-ancient-india/

[4] Finnati – Diamonds And The History – https://finnati.com/diamonds/

[5] Wikipedia – Punch-marked coins – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punch-marked_coins

[6] Wikipedia – Achaemenid conquest of the Indus Valley – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achaemenid_conquest_of_the_Indus_Valley

[7] Madras Courier – Greek Philosophers & Indian Diamonds – https://madrascourier.com/insight/greek-philosophers-indian-diamonds/

[8] GIA – Diamond History and Lore – https://www.gia.edu/diamond-history-lore

[9] Wisdom Library – Vajra: Significance and symbolism – https://www.wisdomlib.org/concept/vajra

[10] Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy – Theophrastus – https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/theophrastus/

[11] Perseus Digital Library – A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities – GEMMA – https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0063:entry%3Dgemma-cn

[12] Wikipedia – Indian campaign of Alexander the Great – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_campaign_of_Alexander_the_Great

[13] The Collector – Alexander the Great in India: Furthest and Final Conquests – https://www.thecollector.com/alexander-the-great-india-conquest-achaemenid-empire/

[14] Levy’s Fine Jewelry – The History of Diamond Cutting – https://levysfinejewelry.com/pages/history-of-diamond-cutting

[15] World History Encyclopedia – Silk Road – https://www.worldhistory.org/Silk_Road/

[16] Smithsonian – The Silk Road: Connecting People and Cultures – https://festival.si.edu/2002/the-silk-road/the-silk-road-connecting-peoples-and-cultures/smithsonian

[17] Diamond Rocks – Diamonds in Greek and Roman mythology – https://www.diamondrocks.co.uk/magazine/diamonds-greek-roman-mythology/

[18] Wikipedia – Diamond (gemstone) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_(gemstone)

[19] The Print – Rome to Kabul, ancient India was a global player in trade – https://theprint.in/opinion/rome-to-kabul-ancient-india-was-a-global-player-in-trade-kautilyas-arthshastra-tells-all/2030526/

[20] Wikipedia – Indo-Roman trade relations – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Roman_trade_relations

[21] New World Encyclopedia – Roman trade with India – https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Roman_trade_with_India

[22] Facts and Details – GEM STONES IN ANCIENT EGYPT – https://factsanddetails.com/world/cat56/sub404/entry-6153.html

[23] Wikipedia – Indian rupee – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_rupee