Diamonds
Diamonds are the hardest natural substance on Earth
Diamonds were formed billions of years ago through a combination of tremendous
pressure and temperatures of 2000º –3000º F at depths between 75 and 120 miles
beneath the earth’s surface.
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 by rivers away from the kimberlite pipes by geologic
activity.
Fewer than 20 percent of the diamonds mined worldwide are true gem-quality.
The earliest written account of diamonds dates back to around 500 B.C.
Diamonds are virtually fireproof. To burn a diamond, it must be heated to
1292 degrees Fahrenheit. (The typical house fire reaches a temperature of
approximately 1100 degrees).
In their pure state, diamonds are colorless.
Blue and red are the rarest colored diamonds.
Yellow and brown are the most common colored diamonds.
Until the 18th century, the only diamond mines were in India.
As early as 1725, diamonds were discovered in South America. The discovery
occurred in Minas Gerais, Brazil, just as the production in India was dwindling.
Russia produces the most diamonds by volume.
Botswana is first in value of diamonds produced.
With the opening of the Ekati Mine and others in Canada, North America has the
potential to produce at least 12 percent of the total world diamond production.
Even though the U.S. produces almost no diamonds, America buys more than 40
percent of the world’s gem quality diamonds – making it the world’s largest
diamond market.
http://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research-diamond-fun-facts
Diamonds were formed billions of years ago through a combination of tremendous
pressure and temperatures of 2000º –3000º F at depths between 75 and 120 miles
beneath the earth’s surface.
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 by rivers away from the kimberlite pipes by geologic
activity.
Fewer than 20 percent of the diamonds mined worldwide are true gem-quality.
The earliest written account of diamonds dates back to around 500 B.C.
Diamonds are virtually fireproof. To burn a diamond, it must be heated to
1292 degrees Fahrenheit. (The typical house fire reaches a temperature of
approximately 1100 degrees).
In their pure state, diamonds are colorless.
Blue and red are the rarest colored diamonds.
Yellow and brown are the most common colored diamonds.
Until the 18th century, the only diamond mines were in India.
As early as 1725, diamonds were discovered in South America. The discovery
occurred in Minas Gerais, Brazil, just as the production in India was dwindling.
Russia produces the most diamonds by volume.
Botswana is first in value of diamonds produced.
With the opening of the Ekati Mine and others in Canada, North America has the
potential to produce at least 12 percent of the total world diamond production.
Even though the U.S. produces almost no diamonds, America buys more than 40
percent of the world’s gem quality diamonds – making it the world’s largest
diamond market.
http://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research-diamond-fun-facts
Mines in Australia
Argyle Diamond Mine-
The Argyle Diamond Mine is a diamond mine located in
the East Kimberley region in the
remote north of Western Australia. Argyle is the largest diamond producer in the
world by volume, although due to the low proportion of gem-quality diamonds it
is set to close by 2018. It is the only known significant source of pink
diamonds, producing over 90% of the world's supply. It
additionally provides a large proportion of other naturally coloured diamonds,
including champagne, cognac and rare blue diamonds. Argyle is currently
transitioning from an open pit mine to an underground mine. In 2013, Argyle is
estimated to produce 10.2 million carats with an average per carat price of
$25/carat
Description
The mine covers about 450,000 square metres (110 acres), stretching in a
mostly linear shape about 1600 metres (5,200 ft) long and 150 to 600 metres (500
to 2,000 ft) wide. The mine is of open pit construction,
and reaches about 600 metres (1,900 ft) deep at its deepest point. The open cut
is nearing the end of its life and is due to close in 2010.An underground block
cave mine is currently under development, and is likely to extend Argyle's
diamond production until 2018.
The Argyle Diamond Mine is a diamond mine located in
the East Kimberley region in the
remote north of Western Australia. Argyle is the largest diamond producer in the
world by volume, although due to the low proportion of gem-quality diamonds it
is set to close by 2018. It is the only known significant source of pink
diamonds, producing over 90% of the world's supply. It
additionally provides a large proportion of other naturally coloured diamonds,
including champagne, cognac and rare blue diamonds. Argyle is currently
transitioning from an open pit mine to an underground mine. In 2013, Argyle is
estimated to produce 10.2 million carats with an average per carat price of
$25/carat
Description
The mine covers about 450,000 square metres (110 acres), stretching in a
mostly linear shape about 1600 metres (5,200 ft) long and 150 to 600 metres (500
to 2,000 ft) wide. The mine is of open pit construction,
and reaches about 600 metres (1,900 ft) deep at its deepest point. The open cut
is nearing the end of its life and is due to close in 2010.An underground block
cave mine is currently under development, and is likely to extend Argyle's
diamond production until 2018.