Editor’s Note
This article highlights the significant milestone of Panna’s diamond industry securing a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, a recognition that underscores its unique quality and heritage. The application, initiated in 2023, marks a pivotal step in promoting and protecting this regional gem on the global stage.
Under the guidance of the then Collector Sanjay Kumar Mishra, the District Mineral Department applied for the GI tag on June 7, 2023. Today, Panna has received the GI tag. Panna’s diamond has been granted GI recognition under Class 14 – Natural Goods. Due to this achievement, the sparkle of diamonds mined from Panna, Madhya Pradesh, will now be visible at the international level.
Because Panna’s diamond has received the GI tag, it will now have a distinct identity internationally. For example, if a person in Mumbai wants to buy a Panna diamond and purchases it for 3 lakh rupees per carat, but upon inspection, it turns out to be an African diamond worth 12,000 rupees per carat. This will no longer happen. Because if someone buys a Panna diamond, they will also receive a GI tag certificate. This certificate will contain information about which mine the diamond was extracted from, its weight, and its quality.
Diamond traders from Panna or those who buy diamonds from Panna’s auctions will get good prices for Panna diamonds in national and international markets. This is because they will now come with a GI tag certificate, certifying that the diamond is from Panna, mined from Panna’s mines. There will be no possibility of fraud, so Panna diamonds will fetch good prices. This will benefit traders and boost the diamond trade.
Ravi Patel, Deputy Director of Minerals, stated:
