: Buying directly from mines in rural areas is often discouraged for individuals due to extremely high overhead costs and complex legal hurdles compared to buying from established traders or sightholders. Pricing and Valuation
: Prices vary wildly based on size and purity. For example, lab-grown rough diamonds might range from $1,200 to $10,000 per carat, while natural stones can cost significantly more depending on their clarity and potential. Rough Diamonds | Diamond Commodity Chain - U.OSU
: Individual merchants and traders in hubs like Surat or Antwerp sell smaller parcels or individual stones to designers and private buyers. Essential Legal and Safety Requirements
: A critical hub for the industry, as approximately 80% of the world's diamonds are cut and polished here. Major markets like Mini Bazaar and Mahidharpura (Moti Bazaar) are central for both buying and selling rough stones.