What Are Natural Diamonds?

Formation

• Diamonds are formed far below the surface of the Earth, at a distance of around 100 miles from ground-level. Extremely high levels of pressure and heat are required for Diamonds to form. In these conditions, pure carbon appears in its crystal form, known as natural diamond. Diamonds can occur naturally in many parts of the world, including the United States. In order for diamonds to be found close to the surface of the Earth, where they are mined, natural geological features known as Kimberlite, or diamond, pipes force them upward from the depths at which they were formed. These pipes, containing volcanic magma, which is full of gas, collect diamonds and other minerals as they push upward to the surface of the Earth, where molten rock and the minerals it collects explodes and cools.

Properties

• The three-dimensional cubic lattice-structure of the carbon atoms that form diamonds make it the hardest material that occurs naturally on Earth. Diamond is extremely transparent but is also very effective at reflecting through its lustre, causing it to sparkle and dispersing light, showing the many attractive colors in a prism effect. Diamonds have a range of other properties, such as conductivity and resistance, that are desirable for industrial purposes and in health care.

Uses

• The most significant use of natural diamonds is in producing jewelry. Diamonds are very popular due to the properties that cause the stones to sparkle and show a range of colors when light is directed on them. Diamond jewelry is very popular and valuable and is often associated with important symbols, such as engagement rings.

  Although diamond also has many uses in industry, health and science, the cost of natural diamond makes it impossible to use them for these purposes. Instead, synthetic diamonds are produced for use in technology.

Appearance

• There are certain features of natural diamonds that make them more appealing and valuable as pieces of jewelry. One of these is clarity. The clarity of a natural diamond is judged by what can be seen within the diamond when it is magnified by 10 times its original size. The fewer pieces of foreign material that were present when the diamond was formed, the fewer pieces that are present in the stone to interfere with the way that it reacts to light. The color of a diamond is also judged. Although diamonds are usually thought of as being a clear stone, they can occur naturally in a variety of other colors. Diamonds in rarer colors, particularly pink, are more expensive. The carat, or weight, of an individual natural diamond increases its value. Larger diamonds are rarer and are therefore more valuable.