How are diamonds formed? Although diamonds are one of the most valuable gems on earth, many people don't bother to learn the answer. Intense heat and powerful pressure from deep inside the earth compress carbon into the hard gemstone commodities used in everything from industry to fashion.
Chemical Composition Of Diamonds
Diamonds are composed of crystallized carbon atoms that are arranged in cubic structures. This stable arrangement that features strong bonding among the atoms makes diamonds one of the hardest substances known. Diamonds come in a range of colors, from transparent or yellow to green, pink, blue, red and even orange.
Natural Formation Of Diamonds
When carbon materials in the earth are subject to extreme temperatures and high pressure at around 100 miles below the Earth's surface, certain conditions must be met in order for that carbon to form into diamonds, such as temperatures between 900 degrees C and 1300 degrees C. The pressure needed must be between 40 and 60 kilobars (the unit of measurement for pressure) as well. After millions of years of this pressure and heat, the diamond crystals are formed from the carbon.
Diamonds At The Surface
Volcanic activity brings the hard carbon crystals closer to the surface of the earth. As fissures in the earth's tectonic plates happen, molten magma shoots up through narrow tunnels, bringing all kinds of subterranean substances to the surface. The lava flows harden with streaks of the crystallized carbon inside. Millions of years later, these diamond-rich areas are mined for distribution all over the world. These kinds of diamond deposits are called primary mines. Other diamond deposits get broken up by the erosion process and are laid down again in ancient riverbeds. This kind of mine is called an alluvial deposit or a placer deposit.
Geography Of Diamond Mines
Some of the most concentrated diamond mines are present in the African nations of Botswana, Namibia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Australia, Borneo, Canada, India and Russia also have diamond mines within their borders.
 | Want to know how to determine a real diamond? The following simple tests can help you tell the real from the fake. |
 | To learn how to buy a diamond, you'll not only need to know what's real and what's fake but also what makes some diamonds better than others. |
How are diamonds mined? There are two types of diamond mining-one that involves drilling deep into the earth and another that involves sorting through surface sediment. |
Find articles about how are diamonds formed, how to determine a real diamond, how to buy a diamond and how are diamonds mined. |
