Diamonds: So Valuable and Beautiful

  Diamonds are one of the most valuable gems in the world. When one thinks of a diamond, one usually thinks of beautiful jewelry, often engagement rings. But because of a diamond's characteristics, they are often used in the manufacturing sector.   

What Is A Diamond?
A diamond is a formation of carbon in which the atoms of carbon are formed in a lattice-type pattern. The result is one of the hardest minerals that occurs naturally. It is also possible to make a normal diamond even harder by using high temperatures and great pressure.   

In nature, most diamonds are found close to volcanoes since they would typically have both pressure and temperature elements needed to form the diamonds. Rock containing diamonds are also found where high actions of wind and water have combined to form the right conditions for diamond production.

In nature, most diamonds are found close to volcanoes since they would typically have both pressure and temperature elements needed to form the diamonds. Rock containing diamonds are also found where high actions of wind and water have combined to form the right conditions for diamond production.
 

  A Diamond’s Strength

 

Because diamonds are so strong, there has not been another element found in nature that can scratch a diamond. The hardest diamonds are said to come from mines in the Australian region of New South Wales, and these specimens are typically used to cut other diamonds. Because of their strength, diamonds became popular as gemstones for jewelry since they could be worn everyday and would not loose their brilliance and luster. In industrial settings, the diamond is often used to cut, grind and refract light or be used as an abrasive. More familiarly, diamonds can be found on the tips of saws or drills making those items able to cut through almost anything. Even though a diamond is a hard material, it is not considered tough in comparison to other engineered materials and like an egg is strong when sitting on its point but fragile when on its side, a diamond performs in much the same way with its toughness dependent on how it is situated.

 

The Origin of Diamonds

 

Almost half of the world's diamonds come from Africa, typically in the southern and central regions. Other diamond hot-spots are found in Brazil, Canada, India, and as mentioned previously, Australia. Currently, the diamonds that are the most commercially used are from Russia. Diamond ore is mined from deep within the earth, but not all diamond ore contains whole diamonds. The ore is ground and crushed in order to find smaller diamonds, but this process needs to be handled with care in order to not grind down diamonds that are larger.
 
 Commercial Market - Gems
 

There is one company that holds most of the control when it comes to the diamond trade - De Beers. This private company has been in business since the late 1800's and is involved of every aspect of the diamond process. They have large mines located Canada, South Africa, but primarily Botswana, which has said to produce up to 15 million carats of diamonds in a single year. De Beers also runs the Diamond Trading Company, which is a subsidiary company and it is thought that the majority of diamonds are traded through them. De Beers is also responsible for one of the best known marketing campaigns - “a diamond is forever.”

 

Because there are so few players in the diamond market, there are centers around the world where the majority of diamond trading is located, the largest of which is Antwerp, Belgium. A high percentage of rough and cut diamonds travel through Antwerp, typically headed for the United States where approximately 80% of diamonds are sold.

 

Variation of Color

 

The color of a diamond can vary greatly. In jewelry, the diamond with the least amount of color is the most desired which is beneficial for the diamond industry as colorless diamonds are the most common. When the diamond is created, other natural elements contribute to its color. The colors that are most common are shades of brown or yellow, but other colors are found such as green, blue, pink, black, purple with the rarest color being red.

 

Diamonds are highly valued because they can be used in many different ways because of its hardness and beauty. They can last for many hundreds of years and when manufactured into jewelry, can be a wonderful heirloom, no matter how large or small. 

 

For most people, diamonds have become associated with a marriage proposal when a diamond ring is presented.  No matter the size of the ring, the diamond, with its durable properties and beautiful appearance is the perfect symbol to give when making a marriage proposal or for a 60th wedding anniversary.  Although many never make it to that point but some do, this stone is a testament to something that is long lasting, beautiful and valuable.
 

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