A diamond’s beauty is undeniable and it didn’t take long for these rare and magnificent gemstones to sparkle their way into our hearts. Today, diamonds are a customary way to celebrate engagements, birthdays, anniversaries, and life’s special moments.
But where do diamonds come from?
A Falling Star
The Ancient Greeks and Romans believed diamonds were celestial in origin. Many claimed that diamonds were fragments from fallen stars, while others were convinced they were tears of the gods. In Roman mythology, Cupid’s arrows were tipped with diamonds, symbolising love’s enduring power.
Before modern developments in science, everyone who came across a diamonds beauty believed the stones were something out of this world. And it wasn’t just the romans and greeks who regarded diamonds as celestial or divine phenomena. Ancient Egyptians viewed diamonds as symbols of the sun, power, and courage. Hindu mythology attributed diamond formation to lightning storms, strongly believing that diamonds are created when lightning strikes the earth.
But how exactly are these stones formed and where do diamonds come from?
The Formation of Diamonds
Approximately 3.3 billion years ago, and before dinosaurs walked the earth, diamonds were formed 150km – 200km deep below the earth’s crust in the melted rock of the mantle. The process started with Carbon molecules being compressed under high pressure of 45 to 60 kilo bar while undergoing intense heat of 900 degrees to 1300 degrees.
As soon as the temperature dropped, atoms would bond leading to the formation of diamond crystals. It was then during intense volcanic eruptions that the diamonds were carried to the surface by magmatic rocks (a mixture of molten or semi-molten rock), later termed Kimberlites.
The diamonds will then travel through the volcanic pipes also known as the kimberlite pipes – the pipes were named after the South African city, Kimberley were they were first discovered. At the surface of the earth magma would then build up a layer of volcanic material that eventually reduces in heat and solidifies. Hidden within these rocks are diamonds.
Diamond-bearing Kimberlite
For a long period of time scientists and miners were confused by the origin of which the diamonds were formed due to the way they were found. First, diamonds were discovered during the alluvial diamond mining process and then later through the diamond pipe mining.
Alluvial Diamond Mining
Alluvial diamond mining is when diamonds are not found close to the Kimberlite pipes, but rather in a location far away. For example in the ocean, streams or riverbanks. After a bit of research, geologists decided to follow the trail of the secondary source in hope of locating the main source of diamonds. It was then that the miners came across the Kimberlite pipes where they found deposits of even bigger diamonds.
Where are Diamonds Mostly Found?
Before the 1870s discovery of diamonds in South Africa, only few regions (India, Brazil and Russia) were known to produce the stones—and in very small quantities. Diamonds were incredibly rare, expensive, and mostly reserved for royalty or the rich.
The South African discovery and Kimberley Rush transformed industry forever. The De Beers company, formed shortly afterward, helped shape the global diamond market with campaigns like “A Diamond is Forever.”
The origin of most of the world’s biggest and famous diamonds, South Africa remains a dominant source for Diamonds worldwide. Today, it is estimated that over 70% of all diamonds in the world were mined in Africa.
Where do Gem-Quality Diamonds Come From?
You might have heard that diamonds aren’t as rare as they seem, but here’s the catch: not all diamonds are gem-quality. 133 million carats of diamonds are bought and sold annually, but this includes both rough and polished diamonds, as well as diamond jewellery. While this might seem high, less than 30% of diamonds mined annually are considered gem-quality (suitable for jewellery).
And, if you’re looking for an engagement ring or sparkling investment piece, diamonds over 1 carat represent less than 1% of all diamonds mined. A 1-carat gem-quality stone is truly one in a million. This rarity contributes to both the high value and desirability of investment-quality diamonds.
The Origin of Diamonds
And just like that, the origin of diamonds was determined. But with a remarkable gemstone like the diamond it’s no wonder why it took years for scientists to understand where diamonds come from and pinpoint the formation of these stones.
Today, it’s clear why diamonds, which were formed 3.3 billion years ago, are considered to be one of the most precious gemstones to date. All the more reason why a diamond is the best way to capture those special moments we celebrate in life.
