0
Diamonds
Diamonds are the hardest mineral on earth. Ask questions about famous diamonds, mining, production and buying.
4,145 Questions
Where was the first diamond found and by who?
The first diamond is believed to have been found in India by ancient civilizations along the Krishna River. These diamonds were discovered thousands of years ago and were treasured for their beauty and rarity.
What is the most expensive diamond in the world?
Your question assumes that a diamond has changed hands for money. Many important diamonds, however, have never been sold, but have been owned based on the stone being a spoil of war or a gift to royalty.
The 'most expensive diamond' may be in regal crown jewels owned by a nation state. The British and Thai crown jewels are examples of magnificent diamonds held this way. Because they have not changed hands for money, there are essentially and otherwise priceless.
There are, however, a few examples of expensive diamonds, some with their record per-carat prices:
- The world's most expensive diamond -- 35.56 carat Whittlesbach blue -- sold for $24.3 million, beating a previous record of $16.5 million for a 100-carat diamond in 1995.
- The DeBeers Millennium Star Diamond
- The Taylor-Burton Diamond
- The Centenary
- Cullinan (never sold, gifted to the British Crown)
- Hope Diamond
- A 7.03 blue diamond sold for £6m ($9.5 million) in March 2009 in Geneva.
- Chopard blue diamond ring for 16,260,000 dollars. It has a 9-carat blue diamond, more white diamonds, and a 18k white gold setting. (In general, blue diamonds are the among rarest and most expensive diamonds in the world.)
Where are Kimberlite pipes located in Oklahoma?
Kimberlite pipes are not commonly found in Oklahoma. These geological formations are more prevalent in regions where diamond deposits are present, such as certain parts of Africa, Canada, and Australia. Oklahoma's geology is more known for its oil and gas resources.
When humans dig into the ground to mine for diamonds what two spheres are most directly interacting?
When humans mine for diamonds by digging into the ground, the two spheres that are most directly interacting are the geosphere (Earth's crust where the diamonds are located) and the lithosphere (the outer rigid shell of the Earth that includes the crust and upper mantle).
How deep are diamonds created in the earth?
Diamonds are formed deep within the earth's mantle, typically between 140-190 kilometers (87-118 miles) below the surface. The intense heat and pressure at this depth cause carbon atoms to form the structure of a diamond over millions of years.
What jeweler donated the hope diamond in 1958 to the Smithonian institute?
Harry Winston donated the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institution in 1958 by mail, shipping it from his New York office to the museum in Washington, D.C.
What is the largest diamond production in the world?
The worlds largest diamond mine by surface area is located in Botswana, in Africa: the open cast Orapa diamond mine. Read more about it, in the related links.
The world's largest diamond mine in terms of volume is located in Mirnyj, Eastern Siberia, Russia, and is 525 metres deep and 1,200 metres in diameter, while some say that it is 1,200 metres deep.
Where on the Earth is a diamond formed?
Diamonds are formed deep within the Earth's mantle -- under extreme pressure and intense high heat. They are erupted to the Earth's surface through volcanic pipes.
As well, there are man-made diamonds formed in laboratories.
How many faces does a natural diamond gem have?
Some gem-quality diamonds come from the ground in the shape of two pyramids joined at the base, with four 'faces' on each pyramid. This is an ideal, natural diamond. Very few natural diamonds are found with this ideal shape.
(Diamond as a precious mineral was probably first admired based on a human picking up such a stone, more than 5,000 years ago.)
Most diamonds as they are found, are mis-shapen with many faces. As well, only 25% of mined diamonds are of gem quality, the remainder are considered 'industrial diamonds' not suitable for processing as gemstones.
What layer of the earth do you get diamonds?
Diamonds are typically formed in the Earth's mantle layer, which lies between the outer crust and the inner core. They form under tremendous pressure and high temperatures in the mantle's depths before being brought to the surface through volcanic eruptions or other geological processes.
Are blue diamonds more expensive than other colour diamonds ie White pink or black?
Yes, blue diamonds are generally more expensive than white, pink, or black diamonds. This is due to their rarity, with high-quality blue diamonds being quite scarce compared to other colors. The unique coloring of blue diamonds adds to their allure and value in the market.
Maybe. Your local jeweler can apply a probe to it, to determine whether or not it is a diamond stone.
Is this is a fact or opinion diamonds are the hardest substance on earth?
Diamond mineral is rated on the Mohs Scale at 10, which is the highest/ hardest rating on the scale. It is the only mineral given that rating. the Mohs Scale is most useful as a field guide, where a geologist might use one mineral to mark another. This means that diamond can mark every other natural mineral.
The Mohs scale is not useful for industrial or man-made materials.
Diamond is the birthstone for the month of April. It is known for its rarity, brilliance, and durability, making it a highly coveted gemstone for jewelry. Diamonds are often associated with everlasting love and are a popular choice for engagement rings.
Why do humans mine for diamonds?
Humans mine for diamonds because they are highly valued for their beauty and rarity, making them a desirable luxury item. Diamonds are also used in industrial applications due to their hardness and thermal conductivity. Mining for diamonds can be economically lucrative for companies and countries that have diamond deposits.
Can you get sealant off natural stone?
Yes, sealant can be removed from natural stone using a specialized stone sealant remover recommended by the stone's manufacturer. It is important to follow the product instructions carefully to avoid damaging the stone surface. After removing the sealant, the natural stone may need to be resealed to protect it.
No, diamond is not an alloy. Diamond is a naturally occurring mineral made up of carbon atoms arranged in a crystal lattice structure.
Why might diamonds be found in other locations besides kimberlite pipes?
Diamonds can be moved by water -- some mining is performed at the mouths of rivers as they empty into the ocean for just this reason.
Otherwise, some say that diamonds can land on earth from outer space, including the mysterious black diamonds: carbonado. You can read more, below.
Are chocolate diamonds natural or manufactured?
'Chocolate diamonds' are named thus because this shade of brown diamond is the colour of chocolate.
Some brown diamonds are natural diamonds; some brown diamonds are manufactured diamonds. A gemologist will help you determine the source of your brown diamond.
Manufactured diamonds are always less expensive than natural diamonds with similar characteristics.
Diamonds are typically formed deep within the Earth's mantle over billions of years. Most diamonds found today are between 1 billion to 3.3 billion years old, but some may be as old as 3.5 billion years.
Diamond is a naturally occurring mineral formed deep within the Earth under extreme pressure and temperature. It is one of the hardest materials known, ranked as a 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Diamond mining can have environmental impacts, but the hardness of diamond itself does not directly harm the Earth.
Are diamonds an earth material?
Yes. You can consider diamonds 'natural resources' much the same as trees in the forest or coal in the veins of geography. They are formed deep below the earth's surface and erupt to be found by humans via volcanic pipes.
Is diamonds are the hardest substance on earth a fact or opinion?
That statement is a fact. Diamonds are indeed the hardest naturally occurring substance on Earth, as they score a 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.
How are diamonds being conserved?
Diamonds are not typically conserved as they are naturally occurring minerals that are mined for various purposes. However, efforts are made to ensure responsible sourcing practices through initiatives like the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the market and to promote ethical mining practices. Recycling and reusing diamonds in jewelry is another way to reduce the environmental impact of diamond mining.
Is obsidian sharper than steel?
Obsidian is capable of being sharpened to a finer edge than steel due to its natural glass composition, which allows it to form extremely sharp edges. However, obsidian is more brittle than steel and can chip or break more easily when used for cutting tasks.
