Diamonds

Diamonds are the most cherished and highly valued of gemstones. Throughout history, they have been admired by Kings and worn as a symbol of strength, courage and invincibility. Over the centuries the diamond acquired unique status as the ultimate gift of love, in myth and reality. The word `diamond' comes from the Greek adarnas, meaning unconquerable. It is the hardest mineral known to man, yet it has the simplest chemical composition being crystalized carbon.

The exact origin of diamonds is still something of a mystery even today. It is known that diamonds were created by Nature more than 3 billion years ago. The elemental forces of heat and pressure miraculously transformed carbon into diamonds deep below the surface of the earth. The volcanic mass in which this crystallization took place then thrust upwards, broke through the earth's surface to cool in kimberlite or lamproite pipes where most diamonds are found today. It is not an easy task to recover gem-quality and industrial diamonds and approximately 250 tonnes of ore must be mined and processed from the average kimberlite pipe to produce a one carat polished gem-quality diamond. Thus, it is easy to understand why diamonds are so rare and valuable.