Approximately how long did India serve as the world's only diamond source?

• A. About 2500 years
• B. About 500 years
• C. About 100 years
• D. About 10000 years

Answer: (A)

Diamonds were mined and traded in India for a very long period, creating a lasting monopoly that endured for about two and a half thousand years. The Indian diamond districts, especially the famous Golconda/Kollur region, supplied global markets for centuries, with alluvial sources feeding trade networks across Asia and Europe. This prolonged period of exclusive supply ended in the early 1700s when Brazil was found to produce diamonds, signaling the decline of India’s sole source status and paving the way for other regions, including Africa, to become major diamond producers. So, the timeframe of roughly 2,500 years reflects the long-standing Indian dominance before other sources emerged. The other options don’t fit the historical timeline: 500 or 100 years would cut short India’s demonstrated period of diamond production and trade, and 10,000 years would imply mining well before documented industry history.