A Note on Diamond Incidence in Wairagarh Area, Garhchiroli District, Maharashtra

Incidence of diamond is reported from the highly deformed polymictic conglomerates of suspected Early Proterozoic age from Wairagarh area, Garhchiroli District, Maharashtra. The gem quality diamond recovered during the ongoing search for kimberlite-lamproite rocks in western Bastar craton is an octahedral crystal with a light greenish tint and weighs 0.029g (0.15 carat). Reports of diamond mining in Wairagarh date back to as early as 15^th century (Ball, 1884; Satyanarayana, 2000). Mining activity continued till 19^th century (Streeter, 1882). These records provide information about richness of the mines and quality of the diamonds won. Despite intensive search by local people, there are no records of diamond recovery for over a century. The present find is first of its kind during the modern times and has opened up new vistas of diamond search in similar geological milieu in the western part of Bastar craton.