Indian Laborer Raju Gond Discovers 19-Carat Diamond Worth £78,000 While Mining in Krishna Kalyanpur, Madhya Pradesh

Raju Gond, an Indian laborer struggling to make ends meet, has experienced an extraordinary turn of fortune. Just a day after earning a meager £3.25, Gond made a discovery that would forever alter his life.

While working in a leased mine, Gond unearthed a stunning 19-carat diamond worth approximately £78,000.

Hailing from Madhya Pradesh, a central Indian state, Gond had been laboring alongside his brother Rakesh in a mine in Krishna Kalyanpur.

Their father had recently leased the land for a nominal fee of £8, and the siblings were searching for gold, which usually pays around 750 Indian Rupees (about £6.96) per day.

The day started like any other, but soon, it turned into a remarkable journey.

The Moment of Revelation

As Gond scrubbed away the dirt from what he initially thought was just another stone, his excitement grew.

“My heart pounded for a moment,” Gond recalled, “but I knew it was a diamond as soon as I saw it sparkling.”

Overwhelmed with joy, he and his brother hurried home to share the news with their mother before heading to a local diamond assessor.

The assessor confirmed their excitement—the stone was a white diamond weighing 19.22 carats, valued at approximately $100,000 (£77,668).

For Gond, who typically earns about 350 Indian Rupees a day (around £3.25) and supports a family of nine, this discovery was nothing short of miraculous.

Plans for the Future

With the newfound wealth, Gond has ambitious plans.

He intends to pay off existing debts, invest in his children’s education, build a new home, purchase land, and possibly buy a tractor.

His family, which includes his parents, wife, seven children, and the families of his younger brother and sister, had been struggling financially.

The diamond discovery brings hope and a fresh start.

Navigating the Process

In India, families like Gond’s are granted leases for shallow diamond mines by the government, with local officials overseeing the process. Discoveries are subject to an 11.5% royalty and a small tax, with the remainder going to the discoverer.

Gond had to complete paperwork, provide identification, and pay a fee of about £7.38 to begin excavating.

Looking Ahead

Gond’s diamond will be auctioned once the inventory at the Panna Diamond Offices reaches £2,79,763.74. Even with this life-changing event, Gond and his brother were back at the mine the very next day, determined to find more diamonds and support their extended family.

“We will work hard to find a few more,” they said, embodying their relentless spirit and optimism.