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The valuable Stone: Diamonds
by Mandes Dosdia
http:/www.reeddiamonds.com
Diamonds are forever - so was stated by James Bond and
accepted as truth by all women the world over. Mining
for diamonds traces its roots to 800 B.C. in India.
Smart mine owners of yesterday spread a myth that
diamonds are poisonous; this prevented theft by miners
through swallowing diamonds and taking them out of the
mine. Initially, diamonds were seen as a talisman to
ward off evil and also as a good luck charm.
The formation of a diamond, a transparent form of pure
carbon, takes billions of years and takes place under great
heat and pressure well below sea level. In fact, each
diamond is around three billion years old. Because diamonds
crystallize at such high pressures, they are created deep
within the earth, up to 200 kilometers.
While diamonds are formed well within the earth's crust,
they are brought to the surface through volcanic action
and eruption. Diamonds come up along with the hot magma
and are found almost all over the world. In addition to
diamonds, red garnets too were formed under the earth
crust and are generally found on the surface alongside
each other. Therefore, if you find red garnets, chances
are that diamonds too would be some where close by.
Diamonds are the strongest mineral on the surface of
earth and the root of the name can be traced to the Greek
word 'unconquerable'. While diamonds are created under
the surface, they are brought up through volcanic action
and also through collision of tectonics plates. Since
diamonds are formed due to very high pressure, meteor
impacts too are credited for creation of diamonds.
A beautiful one-carat diamond comes from 250 tons of are
that has been mined and processed. Today, around 25
countries supply the world with diamonds, with the majority
coming from Africa, Russia, Australia, and Canada. South
Africa is a great source of luxury diamonds.
Diamond Mining
Mining sources for diamonds take different forms. According
to an American diamond merchant, these are some of the
places they are found:
*~Around dried ancient waterways and present rivers
(also called dry digging)
*~In sand and gravel (also known as wet digging)
*~Marine and beach deposits
*~Open pit mining
For use as jewels, only one fifth of the total diamonds
that are mined are used. For industrial uses like cutting
tools and drill bits, the darker stones are used. The
other use of diamond is as a needle for the phonograph.
Some studies are being carried out to assess the
viability of creating a weatherproof window by providing
a diamond coating. Use of diamonds for abrasives, ceramic
products, construction and transportation gear has been
reported in the United States. Diamonds are for ever and
very durable. This valuable stone is very useful for
human beings and is a symbol of lavishness.
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