Where Did Diamonds Originally Come from?

We all know diamonds, gold, and other jewels are rare, which is why they are so much valuable. But have you ever imagined or thought where diamonds actually come from? How they are actually made? Do you know what is the diamond origin?

Millions or even billions of years ago, extreme heat and pressure turned pure carbon into transparent diamond crystals 100 or even more miles under the surface. Diamonds are the sole gemstones made using just one element: Carbon.

As time passed by, volcanic activities brought diamonds closer to the Earth’s surface. Volcanic pipes, also are known as kimberlite pipes, pushed diamonds to the surface, and cooled them down along their way. Today, diamonds are mined in the places where volcanic activities have happened in the past, also in the gravel beds and oceanic floors.

Prominent areas where diamonds were found are in areas like Africa, Russia, Canada, and Australia. These 4 areas are known for the most populations of diamonds.

As diamonds surface on the Earth, they are occasionally mixed with trace elements of other minerals and produced a spread of colors. So now, completely colorless and transparent diamonds are very rare and expensive. Most of the diamonds we have touched are either brown and yellow. Other rare colors include red, blue, orange, pink and green.

While diamonds may appear like delicate glass, they are actually the toughest natural substances on Earth. While it may happen for diamonds to shatter or burn under extreme conditions, only a diamond can cut and scratch another diamond. In fact, diamond origin name derives from the Greek word, ‘indestructible.’

The natural tough properties of diamonds make them popular in industrial settings, where they are used in all kinds of machinery, like saws and drills. Experts also estimate that 80% of all diamonds on the surface of this Earth are used for industries usage and only 20% of the diamonds are gem-quality and are used for jewelry.

Lab grown diamonds

Since the 1950s, diamonds are also being produced by humans. Replicating the natural processes which happen below the surface of the Earth in laboratories, manufacturers of lab grown diamonds learned to make their own diamonds for industrial uses.

Recently, manufacturers discovered that they are ready to produce gem-quality diamonds in the laboratory. ‘Grown’ by people in the matter of just a few weeks instead of millions and billions of years, these lab grown diamonds have exactly the same physical, chemical and optical qualities of natural diamonds.

With these differences invisible to the naked eyes, special testing in the laboratory is usually necessary to differentiate lab grown diamonds from mined natural diamonds. While these beautiful mined diamonds come in various colors, lab grown diamonds are also produced in various colors in the process. Compared to natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds usually cost less.

In case you think why ‘diamonds are a woman’s best friend,’ it’s because of an actual fact that diamonds are the most popular and rare gemstones on this planet.