A brilliant product of nature

Geological origin

Before a gemstone even existed in its rough form, there was only carbon. Everything thus started about 1.3 billion years ago, some 120 kilometers under the surface of the Earth when, under a pressure of 70 atmospheres and a temperature of around 1200°C, carbon atoms bonded to build, bit by bit, diamond crystals. It is thanks to volcanic activity that the diamond ore was progressively brought to the surface of the Earth.

Diamond is most often encapsulated in rock ore, whose nature depends on the various other minerals that were present when the diamond crystallized. The most frequently encountered type of rock ore is Kimberlite, named after the South African city of Kimberley, where it was found for the first time.

Diamond is the hardest and purest material one can find on Earth. Therefore it is also used in numerous applications especially in the high-tech fields (lasers, accurate cutting, or glass industry).

Some stones are so pure that they are selected to be transformed into polished stones.

Next: Diamond mining >>