Consumer Guide to Diamonds

Table of Contents

History of Diamonds

Have you ever stopped to think about where diamonds come from?

Diamonds have existed since the dawn of time. Diamonds form over billions of years from carbon buried deep beneath the earth. When subjected to pressure and heat, the carbon transforms into diamonds. Over time, diamonds rise from the mantle of the earth through volcanic eruptions to reside in the crust of the earth.

Diamonds are popular in part because they are one of the hardest known formations. Collectors treasure them because they are difficult to crack, chip or break.

The name diamond originates from the Greek work "Adamas" which means indestructible. One reason diamonds are so popular is their reputation for being durable, hence the root from the Greek.

Diamonds have a rich history.

For more than 4000 years Kings, Queens and other members of royalty have held diamonds in high regard. Diamonds symbolize many things, including power, love, richness and magic.

In olden days soldiers wore diamonds into battle. Some believe that diamonds were teardrops from the Gods. Because of this, many believe diamonds have mystic qualities. Thus many warriors wore diamonds into battle for good luck. Diamonds also symbolized courage and the unconquerability of an army.

First Discovery through 1700's

Though researchers aren’t one hundred percent certain where diamonds originated, many believe the first diamonds were discovered in 800 B.C., likely in India. In fact, some of the earliest diamonds originated more than 3,000 years ago in India.

Many prized the first diamonds discovered in India for their ability to refract natural light rather than for their monetary value. Most were likely used for decoration and adornment. During the Dark Ages people used the diamond as a medicinal healer. Many believe that diamonds had curative abilities.

People didn’t start paying attention to a diamond’s "worth" until the Middle Ages. During that time mine owners started creating myths that diamonds were harmful. They did this in the hopes that people working in mines wouldn’t try to steal the diamonds they found.

1800's

India was the major source of diamond mining in the early 1700’s until explorers began searching for diamonds in Brazil. Nearly 16 million carats of diamonds were mined in Brazil between 1750 and 1850.

Between 1866-1869, as the Brazilian diamond deposits were depleting, a discovery of a 21 carat stone was made in the Cape Colony, now a province of South Africa. Over the next 15 years, South Africa produced more diamonds than India had in over 2,000 years. The South African diamond discoveries led to the great diamond rush. People the world over poured over mines looking for the valuable treasures.

In 1888, Cecil Rhodes bought out a fierce competitor and merged the holdings of both men into De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd., a company that is still at the top of the industry. By the turn of the century, 95% of the world’s diamonds were produced from Kimberley, South Africa. Today South Africa's diamond production is third in terms of value.

1900's

One of the greatest discoveries in the 20th Century was in the mid 1950's by Russia. Geologist Larisa Popugaeva discovered diamonds in Sakha (formerly Yakutia). Within the next few years, some 500 diamond deposits were found. This Siberian diamond field would make their nation one of the greatest diamond producers of all time. By 1970 russia had become the third largest producer.

In 1979 the diamond hunting would change forever, when geologists discovered the Argyle pipe. Found near Lake Argyle, in Australia, this region is considered the largest producer of natural diamonds by volume, not by value due to the low proportion of quality diamonds. The Argyle diamond mine produces 90% to 95% of the world’s pink diamonds and approximately one third of the world’s natural diamonds.

Today the top countries producing diamonds are Angola, Australia, Botswana, Namibia, Russia, South Africa, and Zaire.

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