Editor’s Note
This article previews the upcoming diamond auction in Panna, India, scheduled for February 2026. It highlights the market’s anticipation following a prolonged hiatus and addresses concerns over illicit trade that arose during the delay.
The long-awaited diamond auction is set to be held in the diamond city of Panna in late February 2026. The absence of an auction for over a year had created an atmosphere of unease among diamond traders (tuadars). Delays in announcing the auction dates had also fueled discussions in the market about black marketing and illegal diamond trade. Now, preparations for the auction at the state’s only state-of-the-art new diamond office have reached the final stage, creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm among traders.
Regular auctions not being held were affecting the diamond trade. Traders say that the auction, to be held after a long interval, will create a positive atmosphere in the market. Arrangements at the new diamond office have been finalized, and special attention is being paid to security and transparency.
In this year’s auction, a total of 5 bright, precious diamonds will be the special center of attraction. These include diamonds weighing 17.11 carats, 15.34 carats, 11.95 carats, 9.4 carats, and 7.67 carats. Tuadars are particularly eager about these high-quality diamonds.
In addition, the auction will include 41 stones from last year and 111 stones from this year, totaling 152 diamond stones. According to departmental estimates, the approximate market value of these diamonds is assessed to be over 2 crore rupees.
It is noteworthy that the 2024 diamond auction was also quite talked about, where the largest diamond sold achieved a record price, bringing Panna into the national spotlight.
— Ravi Patel, Mineral Officer, Panna