ABSTRACT
Introduction e trade and transfer of diamonds and other precious stones were based on economic, nancial, social and ethnic networks that constituted and in uenced specialized markets. In general the actors in these networks were private traders, as opposed to the Dutch and English East India Companies, which were mostly involved as carriers by shipping diamonds to Europe. ese trading practices evolved from the rules established by the Mughal emperors who had monopolized the mines of Golconda and preferred to collaborate with private merchants. Diamonds were usually paid for with coral, emeralds and gold or silver bullion.
