Debt-ridden Indian laborer discovers life-changing $100,000 diamond

KUALA LUMPUR: A laborer facing financial hardship has discovered a 19.22-carat diamond worth nearly $100,000 while working on a plot of land in Madhya Pradesh, India.

According to CNN World, 40-year-old Raju Gond, who typically earns about $4 a day working in fields, diamond mines, or as a tractor driver for a wealthier farmer, found the diamond while digging in a 690-square-foot plot of government land with his younger brother.

Gond described the moment of discovery: “It shone brilliantly; I knew immediately it was a diamond!” CNN reported from Gond’s home in the Panna district.

Gond and his brother took the gem to the local Panna Diamond Office with their mother, where it was assessed by diamond examiner Anupam Singh. Singh confirmed it was a white diamond valued at approximately $95,500 and noted that Panna is renowned for its rich diamond deposits.

Singh recounted past finds, including a 54.55-carat diamond in 1961 and a 42-carat diamond in 2018, and explained that the government leases shallow mines to families for gemstone hunting, taking an 11.5 percent royalty and a small tax, with the remainder going to the finder.

The diamond office will wait until its inventory value exceeds $360,000 before holding an auction, after which Gond will receive his share. Currently, their inventory is valued at half that amount.

Gond shared that after the monsoon season, he had been struggling financially due to a lack of work, prompting him and his family to search for diamonds.

He detailed the process: “We fill out a form, provide identification, submit photos, and pay 800 rupees ($9.50) to the government. After our search, we can apply to explore another area.”

Gond has opened a bank account and is awaiting the funds. He plans to repay a $6,000 debt, educate his children, build homes, buy land, and possibly purchase a tractor.

Reflecting on his discovery, Gond said, “Our lives have changed forever.” He also mentioned how he had heard stories of others finding diamonds and now has his own to tell.

The brothers returned to the mine in hopes of finding more gemstones. “We got up early and went back. We are already in the shallow mine. We hope to find more diamonds!” Gond told CNN.