Natural Diamonds | Diamond Stone – GIA C Get to know all you need about diamond – the history, facts, quality factors, treatments, imitations and much more here at GIA
Diamond History and Lore The world’s love of diamonds had its start in India, where diamonds were gathered from the country’s rivers and streams Some historians estimate that India was trading in diamonds as early as the fourth century BC
GIA Diamond Research Why is diamond the ‘king of gems’? From crowns to engagement rings, diamonds have been a central aspect of many of life’s celebrations and historical milestones They have been associated with legends and folklore Diamonds have set record per-carat prices and often reside at the pinnacle of
Diamond Description Diamond’s characteristic chemical composition and crystal structure make it a unique member of the mineral kingdom Diamond is the only gem made of a single element: It is typically about 99 95 percent carbon The other 0 05 percent can include one or more trace elements, which are atoms that aren’t part of the diamond’s essential chemistry
Diamond - Gemological Institute of America Diamond Most diamonds formed more than a billion years ago! They form about 100 miles (161 kilometers) below the earth’s surface, where the temperature and pressure are just right Diamonds are the hardest natural material on earth They stand for fearlessness and invincibility, and are a symbol of love
Diamond Fun Facts Diamond crystals are brought closer to the Earth’s surface through volcanic activity Diamonds can be found in shallow alluvial deposits where the crystals settle after being transported away from the kimberlite pipes by geologic activity and rivers Around 30 percent of the diamonds mined worldwide are gem-quality
The Extraordinary Backstory of Natural Diamonds: A Diamond Is (and Has . . . Diamond growth may occur somewhat quickly compared to its age, building up a crystal layer by layer over thousands or perhaps millions of years The subsequent period of mantle residence at conditions of high pressure and temperature can permit changes in the diamond morphology, internal structure, and atomic-scale defects
GIA Diamond Origin Diamond mining is the largest private sector employer in Lesotho, employing thousands The Lesotho mines, the most famous of which is the Letšeng mine – legendary for its massive, high-quality colorless diamonds – use technically advanced equipment for diamond extraction and trains local workers in computers and X-ray technology