How Are Diamonds Made?

When we think of diamonds, we think of beauty and grace. Indeed, they are nature’s most incredible and unique gifts. But what about its origin? Have you ever thought about how diamonds came into existence? Most of you don’t know what it takes to make a diamond in the present time. Many of you may not even know that diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring mineral in the world.

So those who thought that diamonds are only used in necklaces, rings, and earrings will be shocked to hear that they are regularly used for cutting and drilling tools. Whatever it is, it’s time you know everything about this exceptional gemstone to end this mumbo jumbo once and for all. Let’s get started.

What Are Diamonds?

Carbon is the sole element that gives birth to diamonds. Coal or graphite is also derived from carbon, which is used in pencils. But why is there a difference in terms of properties? Coal and graphite are soft and opaque, in contrast, diamonds are hard and transparent.

The difference lies in the pattern in which atoms are being placed.

In graphite, each atom is bonded to only three other carbon atoms, while in the case of diamonds, each carbon atom is bonded to four other carbon atoms. The tight bonding structure within the diamonds lets the light strike through making them appear transparent.

In coal and graphite, the atoms present inside block the light making them look dark and opaque. The reason why a diamond’s bonding structure of atoms is different from coal and graphite is due to the variation in pressure and temperature.

Carbon atoms at very high pressures and temperatures are squeezed so much that they start touching more atoms. The carbon atoms bond with 4 other atoms when the pressure is about 50,000 times the pressure at the surface of the Earth and the temperature is about 1600°C.

How Are Diamonds Made?

As mentioned earlier, the natural growing process of diamonds is an outcome of extreme conditions and high temperatures occurring deep down inside the Earth’s crust.  Here’s a breakdown of the complete natural diamond formation process:

1. Extreme Conditions

Diamonds form deep down inside the earth’s surface, nearly about 140 to 190 kilometers (87 to 118 miles) below. The proximity of temperatures varies from 1000 to 1300 degrees Celsius (1,832 to 2,372 degrees Fahrenheit). Also, the pressure down there is also very high, nearly about 5 to 6 gigapascals which amounts to 50,000 times atmospheric pressure.

2. Carbon Source

The carbon atoms are responsible for forming diamonds. Their source of origin is minerals containing carbon content in high amounts and are found in the earth’s mantle. Carbon atoms bond under these extreme conditions in a crystal structure referred to as a diamond cubic lattice.

3. Crystallization

It takes millions and billions of years for the carbon atoms to bond to ultimately take the shape of diamond crystals. The slow cooling process and extreme conditions of high pressure are the factors responsible for giving birth to premium gem-quality diamonds.

4. Bringing to the surface

The diamonds get closer to the earth’s surface due to volcanic eruption activities. These eruptions are responsible for creating pipes named kimberlite and lamproite. These pipes are like magma-filled channels that transport diamonds in an upward direction preserving the structure of the stone.

5. Mining

As soon as the diamonds get nearer to the surface, they can be mined from where they were being transported in the first place from natural processes like erosion and river flow. The mining process can be performed with primary sources (pipes like kimberlite and lamproite) or secondary sources (alluvial deposits).

Where Are Diamonds Found?

Everyone wants to know that where are diamonds found? The ideal conditions to extract diamonds take place around 200 kilometers under the earth’s surface. However, reaching that far with drills or anything else is not possible. In reality, diamonds are found and collected near the surface, in special volcanoes named Kimberlites.

Volcanic eruptions occur due to the increase in temperature of the gas trapped at that depth. Gas will escape towards the Earth’s surface, dragging rocks and diamonds along with it. But these sorts of conditions happen once in three billion years as eruptions don’t happen that often. So, these conditions are quite rare.

Africa, Canada, Russia, Australia, and India are among the major regions where diamonds are found in most numbers, let’s talk about them one by one.

1. Africa

In Africa, diamonds are largely found in countries like South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Angola. South Africa has a major historical significance related to diamonds while Botswana is among the top diamond producers of the world.

2. Russia

Russia is the home of the world’s largest diamond mine called the Mir Mine. Alrosa is the world’s largest diamond producing company in Russia contributing a major chunk to the global supply. Hence, we can clearly see the global dominance of Russia in diamonds.

3. Canada

Canada is yet another dominant player dealing in diamonds with major mines like Gahcho Kue, Ekati, and Diavik. These mines are known for producing premium quality gemstones and have contributed to glorifying the status of Canada in the field of diamonds.

4. Australia

Australia is also one of the largest diamond producers in the world. The country is home to Argyle mine, famous for producing pink diamonds. Despite the shutting of the mine in the year 2020, the country still holds a significant position in the global production of diamonds.

5. India

India, a land of historic diamond mines, continues to be a prominent player in the international diamond business. Golconda is the region where most mining takes place in India. Despite the limited diamond mining in India today, the country remains a major diamond trading and cutting center.

Conclusion

In the end, we are sure that all your doubts related to the diamond formation are gone but if you still have some, feel free to give us a call and our diamond experts will elaborate a bit more on the entire process. Diamond formation is a remarkable process of nature that takes millions of years to complete, this statement in itself is quite fascinating to hear. Diamonds are indeed one of the finest gifts given by nature and if you have one, you are lucky. So, get your lucky charm quickly from a credible diamond supplier and wholesaler like us.

FAQ

1. How long does it take for a natural diamond to form?

It takes millions and billions of years for a diamond to form in a natural manner. Unnatural diamonds on the other hand typically take less than a month to grow.

2. What are the main differences between natural and synthetic diamonds?

Natural diamonds are formed deep within the earth’s surface and this process may take millions and billions of years and happens under extreme conditions of high pressure and temperatures. Synthetic diamonds on the other hand are made in labs within weeks or months. The methods used to create synthetic diamonds are called Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) or High-Pressure High Temperature (HPHT).

3. How are diamonds evaluated and graded?

The process of evaluating and grading diamonds is based on the four C’s – Carat, Cut, Clarity, and Color. Standardized criteria and tools are used by certified gemologists to draw assessments of these aspects to form a detailed report determining the quality and grade of a diamond.

4. Do diamonds start as coal?

No, diamonds do not start as coal. They form under extreme pressure and temperature deep in the earth’s mantle from carbon sources. In contrast, coal forms from plant material close to the earth’s surface under different geological processes.

5. Where do our diamonds come from?

Our natural mined diamonds are sourced from reputable mines in countries like Botswana, South Africa, Russia, Canada, and India ensuring ethical and sustainable practices throughout the supply chain.