We know today, that the diamond is generated naturally deep inside the earth under extreme pressure at temperatures above 1,000 degrees celsius. Such conditions only exist hundreds of kilometer deep in the interior of the earth.



Diamonds are differentiated between various types, Ia, Ib, IIa, and IIb. Although this information is important to the diamond cutter, it is of no value to the buyer. Diamond's superior optical properties and hardness has earned this mineral the highest respect in both industry and jewelry. It has a long tradition of invincibility and hence the Greek name, adamas.

Today, 75-80% of the world's natural diamonds are used for industrial purposes and only 20 to 25% for gemstones. It is the chemical and physical properties of this mineral that give it the superior cutting ability for industrial use. Diamond coatings have improved on diamond's industrial applications in cutting and in aiding the performance of semiconductors. It is the optical properties of this mineral that give it the superior beauty and durability to be used as a gemstone. The rarity of this gemstone is related to the petrogenesis of the igneous rock in which the diamond is recovered. Diamond may even be found in meteorites. It is an important economic resource, responsible for developing nations and creating war. Faceting diamond, in order to maximize its optical properties, depends upon knowledge of geometry. Diamond is the perfect mineral to focus on considering its notoriety and the fact that diamond studies cross disciplines, such as mineralogy, geology, astronomy, material science, mathematics, anthropology, art, history, and economics.

Diamonds, whether they are for industrial use or for jewellery such as diamond rings or necklace come from different areas around the world.

They can be found in North America (mainly North Canada) and South America, but also in Eastern and South Africa, India, Russia and East Asia as well as Australia.

Even though diamonds are mined at many different parts of the earth's surface, the impurities in them will be very similar. In fact it has been found that is virtually impossible to distinguish between rough diamonds from conflict zones and those mined legitimately in countries such as Botswana, the biggest rough diamond producer in the world.