| Sometimes a woman discovers the sparkle of a | | | | at 75 to 120 miles below the earth's surface. It |
| diamond and then desires one more than anything. | | | | was commonly believed by many that diamonds |
| Sometimes, like wondering about twinkling stars, | | | | were formed as a metamorphism of coal. |
| she will wonder how it was formed. | | | | However recent scientific work such as that by |
| There was a time when people who were | | | | Ralf Tappert and his colleagues show that coal |
| interested in diamonds became curious about why | | | | can not exist at that depth. The belief now is that |
| certain diamonds had more value than others and | | | | temperature changes in the upper mantle of the |
| the diamond industry began to explain the three | | | | earth causes carbon atoms to go deeper where |
| most important factors in grading a diamond | | | | they melt. It is believed that they shot out |
| which are known as the four C's. There are not | | | | towards the earth's surface during volcanic |
| many diamond admirers who are not familiar with | | | | activity and then settled in the pipes that were |
| the importance of color, cut, clarity and carat. | | | | created by the force. These pipes are called |
| However, in today's information age when people | | | | Kimberley pipes and these are primary deposits. |
| can have all of their questions answered at | | | | This is where miners look for diamond deposits. |
| lightning speed, people who are curious about | | | | The diamonds that made it to river beds over |
| diamonds can now learn as much about them as | | | | time and perhaps with the help of erosion are |
| they have time to. Including how they are | | | | known as alluvial deposits. |
| formed. In fact, some jewelry aficionados today | | | | It is believed that the first delivery of these |
| will know as much about their favorite gem as a | | | | diamond deposits occurred 2.5 billion years ago. |
| gemologist would. | | | | The most recent delivery was 45 million years |
| So who cares about how diamonds are formed? | | | | ago. We know that they take thousands of years |
| At one time the answer would have been quite | | | | to form. What is not argued is that the glitter and |
| frankly, just gemologists and geologists. Yet today | | | | sparkle of diamonds attract and fascinate. Their |
| it is quite common to hear diamond devotees | | | | allure is added to with the knowledge that they |
| discussing their precious gem saying nothing at all | | | | are rare and come from approximately 100 miles |
| about the four C's but rather discussing | | | | below the earth's surface. Their intrigue is further |
| provenance, conflict free diamonds versus blood | | | | enhanced with the knowledge that they might be |
| diamonds and even how diamonds how formed. | | | | 45 million years old at least. We also know that |
| How diamonds are formed is fascinating actually. | | | | not many people will argue that they have a |
| The belief about how they are formed has | | | | captivating beauty. |
| changed recently and like other things that might | | | | What is interesting is that as women became |
| be a billion years old, it may change again. | | | | emancipated and better educated they did not |
| Diamonds are the only gem known to man, other | | | | start to love diamonds any less. But they did |
| than graphite, made of a single element which is | | | | start to learn more about them. Just ask any |
| carbon. Diamonds are formed when heat reaches | | | | gemologist who answers customers' questions. |
| a certain temperature in combination with a | | | | Their job has gotten a whole lot harder. |
| certain pressure being reached which only occurs | | | | |