Diamonds were discovered in Brazil, leading to depletion of India's resources, in which year?

• A. 1729
• B. 1492
• C. 1820
• D. 1901

Answer: (A)

When a new major source appears, it reshapes the global diamond trade, especially when the traditional supplier’s resources begin to run lower relative to the new supply. Diamonds were long mined in India, supplying most of Europe for centuries. The big shift came after diamonds were found in Brazil, in Minas Gerais, in the mid-1720s. It took a few years for Brazilian diamonds to ramp up and reach European markets, and by the late 1720s their presence was noticeable enough to affect Indian supply and perceived resources. That’s why the year commonly cited for this shift is 1729. The other years don’t fit the timeline of the Brazilian discovery and its impact on India, which occurred in the 1720s.