Diamond Knowledge Center

It is believed that the most ancient diamonds were found in India in 4th century BC, even though the newer deposits for them were formed around 900 million years ago. Most of these early stones were transported from a trade path called Silk Road that linked countries like India and China. At an initial stage when loose diamonds were discovered they were valued because of their strength and brilliance, and majorly known for their capability to refract light and carve metal. In the year 1871, a colossal 83.50-carat deposit was found on a shallow hill what came to be known as Colesberg Kopje. This discovery up-surged the demand for diamonds and brought thousands of diamond seeking prospects to this part of the world and that eventually led to the opening of worlds initial large-scale mining operation which is now known the Kimberly mine. Later in the nineteenth century huge deposits of diamonds were also, discovered in Africa, which then swamped the world market with these sparkling stones and made it possible for people who could afford them to purchase this much prized stone.

As such diamonds are found all over the world, but around 80% of all diamonds mostly come from Africa, Australia, Asia, North America, and South America. Till the 18th century India was the sole supplier of diamonds around the globe. Later in early 19th century this regal stone was discovered in Africa and they subsequently became the largest producer of diamonds worldwide, much depending on Zaire for industrial diamonds and South Africa for gem quality diamonds. From the early 80’s Australia is known to be producing the most diamonds and are presently leading in mining diamonds globally. Around the year 1990, Canada also joined this bandwagon and became the third largest producer of diamonds in the world. Also, currently, the Democratic Republic of Congo is the leading producer of diamond industrial mines.

The history that a diamond holds, with reference to its existence in most cultures, and its concrete geological life span, it can be easily called as the most antique objects that human beings can ever acquire or possess. The diamond rings or pendants that we see today may have been formed anywhere from fifty million to two billion years ago. Immense volcanic activity forms what are known as "pipes" that are openings in the earth and forces these stones up through the pipes to the surface, along with other minerals such as kimberlite. Some of these diamonds make their way into streams, rivers and seas however these are only considered secondary deposits. Majority of the diamonds that are forced up through the earth settle back into the kimberlite pipes, and these then become the primary source for the world's diamond mines. One in 200 kimberlite pipes happen to contain diamonds in reasonable quantities and that is one of the reasons why diamonds are so extraordinary or rare. Roughly around 250 tons of ore has to be mined and processed to procure a sole one-carat, polished, gem worthy diamond. This ore goes through numerous stages of explosion, crushing, processing and later superior techniques are required to liberate these diamonds. From about 100 million carats of diamonds that are mined each year, only a quarter of these precious stones are considered as gem quality ones.