DIAMONDS: Introduction

VIDEO: Diamonds - National Geographic

Diamonds are the most prized and highly valued gemstone, symbolizing strength, courage and invincibility. First mined in India over 4000 years ago, diamond is the hardest known substance with a wide range of applications.

Formation

Diamonds first occurred naturally around 990 million – 4.2 billion years ago. Diamonds are a crystalized form of carbon created by intense heat and pressure 150-200km deep in the Earth’s crust.

The crystallization process takes place in volcanic masses in the crust and takes millions of years. When these volcanic masses burst onto the surface they form kimberlite deposits- where we find diamonds today.

There are also diamonds present in the crust that have been formed by meteor impacts, these are known as nanodiamonds. 

Extraction

Rough diamonds extracted from the crust are then cut in a specific way in order to maximize their beauty. The angles of the cut are exact enough to perfectly internally reflect the light, which is what gives diamonds their sparkle!

All of our diamonds are supplied with the correct GIA or IGI certification which will give you an overview of a specific diamonds properties. If you download the GIA Origin app on your phone you will be able to scan GIA certificates and follow the journey that a diamond has taken since leaving where it was mined! 

Melee Diamonds

It is important to remember that some diamonds are too small to certify, and they are known as melee diamonds. This is due to the fact that their value is less than the cost to get them graded. Melee diamonds are ideal for covering a piece with small diamonds as it perfectly balances setting cost and carat weight.