Diamonds: About Diamonds
Diamonds might be a girl’s best friends but how many of us know much about them and their history? In this second instalment of a three-part series, Monica Bortolin-Cossa of MBC Diamonds is going to educate us. Follow our blog to make sure you don’t miss out on the next article.
Diamonds were born at the beginning of time and will last for Eternity!
Diamonds are considered:
✦ the hardest natural material known to man;
✦ the most effective heat conductors;
✦ the most resistant to acids and alkalis.
Although diamond is the hardest known natural material on the Mohs scale, “10” is the maximum grade on the scale, it is also the simplest in composition. A diamond is common carbon, like the graphite in a pencil, however it has a melting point of 6900 degrees Fahrenheit.
Diamond Formation
Diamond formation started about 3.3 billion years ago, furthermore, only when carbon has been put under enormous pressure and temperature deep within the earth. In this unique environment, the carbon atoms in a diamond bond in pyramid structure.
Diamond Exploration
Diamonds often exist within kimberlite rocks (the host rock for diamonds), therefore, diamond ‘prospectors‘ often search for kimberlite by testing the ground for changes in magnetic fields. Geologists utilise many methods in diamond exploration but one of the most advanced is satellite surveys.
Diamond Mining
Once diamonds are detected, there are different types of mining used to extract them depending on the environment in which they are found.
Following extraction, the material containing the rough diamonds goes through many stages of crushing and processing before it can be sorted and classified.
Diamond Sorting
After the rough diamonds are processed at the mine, they are going through sorting by experts who will divide and value them into different categories ready to be sold.
There are thousands of different categories into which diamonds can be sorted, dependent on size, shape, quality and color.
The best quality diamonds are allocated to the gem market together with a “Kimberley Process Certificate” to prove that they are from conflict-free sources.
Diamond cutting and polishing
Gem quality diamonds are usually distributed to one of the main diamond cutting and trading centres in the world where experts, known as ‘diamantaires’, cut and polish the rough diamonds.
Cutting a rough diamond takes great skill. A well-cut diamond reflects light within itself, from one facet to another, as well as through the top of the diamond, bringing out its brilliance.
Then diamonds are classified by their cut, color, clarity and carat weight, known as the “4 Cs”:
Cut: the art of polishing a diamond is to maximize its brilliance and fire. The cut is the only factor of a polished diamond’s value that is controlled by human hands
Color: with diamonds, even the smallest variation in color can make a big difference; the rarer the color, the more valuable the diamond is
Clarity: most diamonds contain natural inclusions, which were created during formation
Carat: the weight of a diamond is expressed in carats. One carat (equivalent to 0.2 grams) can be divided into 100 ‘points’
These diamonds are typically sold at one of the 29 registered Diamond Exchanges (known as Bourses) located across the world one of which is here in London.
Follow my next article on diamonds …
Monica Bortolin-Cossa
Managing Director
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