Overview

• In Jonnagiri, Tuggali and Peravali mandals, villagers, traders and outsiders are combing rain‑washed black soil for stones alongside kharif work.
• Sellers reported several big payouts this season, including about ₹15 lakh in Peravali, ₹13.5 lakh in Lower Chintalkonda and a rare gem said to have fetched around ₹2 crore in Kurnool.
• Officials acknowledge the trade operates informally without a regulatory framework, and they report no major criminal incidents despite large sums changing hands.
• Locals accuse trader syndicates of suppressing prices and are turning to small auctions and social media listings to secure better deals.
• The searches reflect a long‑standing monsoon practice rooted in regional folklore, with some families returning home each year to pursue what many call ‘diamond farming’.