Mining for Diamonds

There are various ways to mine for diamonds.  Pipe mining, for example, is the process of extracting diamonds from volcanic rock.  Alluvial mining is the extraction of diamonds from riverbeds and ocean beaches.  

On average, 250 tonnes of rock is mined before one carat of diamond can be produced.  The Argyle mine, located in Western Australia’s Kimberley region, is the world's most productive diamond mine.

Once the rock is mined the diamonds are processed to ensure that each individual gem’s lustre is shown to its fullest potential.  Cutting and polishing diamonds can take anything from a few hours to a few months during which the size of the mined diamond will decrease by up to half.   This lengthy production process ensures that the value of each diamond is lasting.  It also opens the market for imitation gems which may look similar but are much less valuable.  When buying diamonds it is essential that you consult an expert jeweler.

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