Sparkling stones found in Nagaland aren’t diamond but cost INR 1500-2000 per kilo

Our Reporter
Dimapur, Nov. 28 (EMN): The sparkling stones found in Wanching village of Nagaland’s Mon district are not diamonds but quartz crystal, according to a geologist from the state’s department of Geology and Mining.

A crystal-like stone was found in Wanching village a few days ago, sparking rumours on social media platforms that it’s ‘diamond’.

[Also read: Villagers hit 'diamond' with hammer; supposed gemstone breaks into pieces]

Speaking to Eastern Mirror, Abenthung Lotha, a geologist in the department, informed that the stone was identified after a verification exercise. He added that a re-verification will be conducted on Monday.

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“We took only small samples of it, so we will be verifying again on Monday after mapping the area where it was discovered,” said Lotha.

He informed that diamonds are found only in areas where metamorphic rocks known as Kimberlite rocks are present and since only sedimentary rocks are found in Nagaland, the possibility of unearthing diamonds is unlikely.

“We have low grade metamorphic rocks so there is very less chance that diamonds will be found in the area,” he said, adding that quartz crystals are sold at INR 1500-2000 per kilo.