A diamond is a mineral composed of carbon and the hardest naturally occurring substance. Diamonds are formed deep within the Earth, in the mantle, and are brought to the surface by volcanic eruptions. The vast majority of diamonds that are mined each year are used for industrial purposes such as cutting tools and abrasives; only a small percentage find their way into jewelry stores.
The word “diamond” comes from the Greek αδάμας (adámas), meaning “unbreakable”, “proper”, or “unalterable”. Diamonds have been known since antiquity, and their value has been appreciated for centuries. In fact, they were once so highly prized that only royalty could afford them. Today, diamonds remain one of the world’s most coveted gemstones. Here’s everything you need to know about these sparkling stones.
Formation
Diamonds form under extreme heat and pressure deep within the Earth’s mantle. This process begins when a source of carbon-bearing material is subjected to high temperatures (approximately 1,300 degrees Celsius) and pressures (roughly 725 kilobars). Over time, this material transforms into microscopic diamonds known as microdiamonds or nanodiamonds. These tiny crystals eventually coalesce into larger ones over a period of millions of years until they finally reach sizes large enough to be recovered during mining operations.