History

Diamonds were known before 3000 BC and until their discovery in Brazil in 1725, India was the principal source of supply. Present sources are Australia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire), Botswana, Russia (Yakut), South Africa, Namibia, and Angola; the first two produce large volumes of industrial diamonds. Today, about 80% of the world's rough gem diamonds are sold through the De Beers Central Selling Organization in London.