What’s in a Diamond?: Process, Properties and Place

Adria Ochoa
Sep 9, 2018 · 2 min read

Diamonds are one of the most beautiful and treasured minerals in the world. But their sentimental value is indivisible from their distinctive physical and scientific properties.

Even the etymology of the word reflects these unique characteristics. ‘Diamond’ comes from the Greek “Adamas”, meaning ‘indestructible’. Whilst the unique gemstone is most known as a key element of luxury jewelry, 80% of the diamonds comprise of industry diamonds for heavy machinery and industry. The indestructibility of diamonds make them invaluable for drilling and cutting equipment. In simple terms, this is because of their molecular structure. Within diamonds, carbon atoms are organised in a dense and unique three-dimensional network. Its this structure that endowes them as the strongest mineral on earth.

The inimitable glow of a diamond is also an outcome of one of its key properties; its very high refractive index. This means that light travels around 2.4 times faster than through air in a diamond. this makes it appear as though light is captured within the diamond. Then using different cuts, diamond cutters essentially try to enhance and maximise this glowing property.

But what really makes these features most impressive is the process by which they are created. The organic process of diamond formation needs only four key ingredients: carbon, pressure, heat and time. Around 100 miles underground, carbon — the key element- is subjected to temperatures of 2200°F and pressures of over 40 kilobars. When a volcanic eruption brings the pressurized carbon to the surface of the earth, it is able to cool suddenly. The outcome of this sudden cooling process is the the natural production of rough diamonds. These are This consequently mined to then be sorted, cut and polished into the normal diamonds most people think of today.

Rough diamonds being prepared to assess, value and cut. Courtesy of 64Facets.

Diamonds are currently mined in about 25 countries, on every continent except Europe and Antarctica. Starting around the 4th century BC, India became the first source of diamonds. However, discoveries in South Africa in the 1870s transformed the market as diamond supplies rocketed. Today, key national diamond producers include several African countries, Russia, Brazil and Australia.

Hence, the origin of the diamond is not only a key determinant of the quality and glow of the diamond, but is crucial to guaranteeing the the sustainability of the sourced stones.

Ultimately, when considering this incredible process, that begins billions of years ago, the value and reputation of this unique mineral becomes truly explicable.

Adria Ochoa

Written by

Diamond Obsessive/Researcher for 64Facets

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