Discovered Just Weeks After Leasing... Valued Up to 90 Million Won
Leasing Land for Prospecting Is Common Among Residents
Actually Finding Diamonds Remains Extremely Rare
Two young men in their twenties in India have made headlines after discovering a 15.34-carat diamond on land they had leased only a few weeks prior. On December 17 (local time), the BBC reported the story of two childhood friends who recently found a diamond in Panna, a region in India known for its diamond mines. Satish Kattik (24) and Sajid Mohamed (23), living in Panna, a representative diamond mining area in central India, stumbled upon a large, sparkling stone on land they had recently leased. The two had the stone appraised at a diamond laboratory, and it was confirmed to be a 15.34-carat natural, gem-quality diamond.
This diamond is said to be among the highest quality of natural diamonds. Diamond appraiser Anupam Singh stated, "The estimated market value of this diamond is about 5 to 6 million rupees (approximately 75 to 90 million won)," adding that, "It will soon be put up for auction." The two men, who unexpectedly came into good fortune, could not hide their joy. They said, "Now we can help with our sisters' weddings," and added, "At the moment, we have no plans to expand our business or move to a big city. We just want to focus on supporting our families."
The two, who have been friends since childhood, are the youngest sons from poor families. Kattik runs a butcher shop, while Mohamed makes a living selling fruit. With the recent surge in living expenses making even wedding costs unaffordable, they reportedly leased land for diamond mining as a last hope.
The Panna region is one of the most underdeveloped areas in India, suffering from poverty, water shortages, and high unemployment rates. However, it is also known to contain a significant portion of India's diamond deposits, so it is common for local residents to lease land and try their luck at prospecting. While most mines are operated by the federal government, the state government leases small plots of land to residents each year for a nominal fee.
Residents, unable to find jobs, dig in hopes of striking it rich, but actually discovering diamonds is extremely rare. Mohamed said, "My father and grandfather dug this land for decades, but all they ever found was dust and bits of quartz." Ravi Patel, the official in charge of mines in the Panna region, said, "The two discovered a gem-quality diamond just a few weeks after leasing the land on November 19," describing it as "an unbelievably lucky case."
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