In this paper, the author is reproducing specific explicit references to diamonds based on own personal study. There may be many other records on the same subject. It is well-known that Valmiki’s Ramayana is one of the oldest classics of mankind, and particularly of the Sanskrit language. It describes the story of Lord Rama. Lord Rama has deeply influenced the life and culture of the people in the entire South Asia, South East Asia and parts of Central Asia. The world famous temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia are a great testimony to this fact. Besides India, traditional dances in Indonesia, Thailand and many other countries in the South East Asia are based on Ramayana. In the Uttar Kand of Ramayana, the great Sage Valmiki describes the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya, the capital city of his dynasty, after destroying the powerful Rakshas clan headed by the mighty and awe-inspiring king Ravana. Lord Rama was coroneted as the king and on this occasion he offered gifts to several of his commanders and supporters in the war against Ravana. Shloka 25 from Sarga 39 of Uttarkand is reproduced in the following:

The English translation by the author is as follows:

“Saying so the hero among men (Lord Rama) presented them (the commanders of the Vanar army), according to their respective status, several pieces of jewellery and precious DIAMONDS and embraced them.”

Ramayana; SrimadValmiki; Uttarkand, Sarga 39; Skloka 25. 

This shows that the diamonds, even at that time, were coveted and precious and not so common, a typical property of a gem stone. Perhaps these were fit only to be given to kings like Sugriva and great devotees like Hanuman and the newly coroneted king of Lanka, Vibhishana.