Diamond Frenzy Grips Andhra Pradesh’s Gudimetla Village as Valuable Find Sparks Rush
Vijayawada, Aug 14: Gudimetla village in Andhra Pradesh’s NTR district has become a focal point of excitement as residents from far and wide embark on a diamond hunt following the accidental discovery of a substantial gem, believed to be valued at Rs 60 lakh.
Inhabitants from various regions across Andhra Pradesh are making their way to Gudimetla village, situated in the Chandarlapdu mandal, in search of the precious gem. A local family from Sattenapalli town in Guntur district reportedly stumbled upon a six-faceted diamond while digging on a routine night in the village. Subsequently, they approached a diamond merchant who offered them an initial valuation of Rs 60 lakh for their find.
This windfall occurred as part of the customary annual diamond hunt in the village, a tradition ingrained within its culture due to its location on the Krishna River banks.
While the diamond’s estimated value ranges from Rs 50 to Rs 60 lakh, initial offers from diamond merchants were around Rs 40 lakh. The family, understandably, is exercising patience while awaiting the most favorable deal.
Recent accounts indicate that at least three individuals unearthed diamonds during their recent excavations in the village. This news rapidly circulated, prompting families from various areas to converge on the village with hopes of striking it rich.
The scene in Gudimetla village is one of diligent prospecting, with people meticulously sifting through soil and stones, fueled by the aspiration of unearthing a valuable gem. The sight of parked two-wheelers in nearby fields attests to the growing influx of fortune seekers descending upon the village.
This isn’t the village’s first brush with diamond fever. The monsoon season annually witnesses this fervor as locals and visitors alike engage in intensive diamond hunting. The activity, sometimes extending into the nighttime, is centered around a hill adjacent to a temple. Local lore attributes this phenomenon to the historical presence of kings in the Gudimetla region, suggesting that numerous diamonds are nestled within its soil.
Notably, the Krishna River basin has yielded illustrious diamonds like the Kohinoor in the past, although the large-scale diamond mining endeavors have since waned.
The neighboring Rayalaseema region also shares a penchant for diamond prospecting. Last year, a farmer reportedly unearthed a precious stone valued at Rs 2 crore.
Renowned for its historical diamond trading, Rayalaseema once thrived as a hub for precious stones and diamonds during the reign of the Vijayanagara empire.
