| A Diamond is a mineral made of carbon that is | | | | are used for industrial purposes. Once the rough is |
| crystallized. In fact a diamond is more than | | | | found the diamond's journey begins. |
| 99.95% pure carbon. The remaining 0.05 percent | | | | STAGE 2 - ROUGH REACHES THE MARKET |
| of the elements often influences the crystal's | | | | A large proportion of the world's rough supply |
| color and shape. The diamond is also by far the | | | | finds its way to De Beers' Central Selling |
| hardest natural substance known to man. | | | | Organization (CSO). The rough the CSO buys is |
| Diamonds form between 75 and 120 miles below | | | | sorted into more than 5,000 different categories. |
| the earth's surface. Only at these great depths do | | | | Once the rough is sorted and priced, it is sold to |
| the necessary temperature and pressure exist to | | | | manufacturers at sights. There are ten sights a |
| form this unique gem. Diamonds were delivered to | | | | year, each lasting a week. The chosen few |
| the surface by volcanic eruptions. These eruptions | | | | afforded the chance to purchase at these sights |
| occurred over 50 million years ago. Geologists | | | | are called sight holders. The balance of the world's |
| believe that the first delivery occurred more than | | | | rough supply is sold to private buyers, and some |
| 2.5 billion years ago. After reaching the surface, | | | | through private auctions. |
| some diamonds settled back into their volcanic | | | | STAGE 3 - MANUFACTURING THE DIAMOND |
| pipes. Other diamonds were washed hundreds of | | | | Regardless of the source, all rough eventually |
| miles away by floods and rivers. Some diamonds | | | | finds its way to the cutting centers. Today, the |
| reached the oceans and were washed back onto | | | | major cutting centers are Antwerp, Israel, |
| the beach. The first diamond mines were | | | | Bombay, Johannesburg, and New York. Upon |
| discovered in India before 500 BC. India has been | | | | reaching its destination the rough is carefully |
| the world's major supplier of diamonds for over | | | | examined to decide how it should be cut to yield |
| 2,000 years, producing some of the most famous | | | | the greatest value. After the stone's shape and |
| diamonds. Today, India accounts for only a tiny | | | | size are determined, taking into consideration the |
| percentage of the world's diamond production. | | | | rough's shape, as well as the number and position |
| Today's diamond production leaders are currently | | | | of its internal inclusions, the stone is marked and |
| Australia, Botswana, Russia, South Africa, Zaire | | | | usually sawed or cleaved. |
| and Canada. Before being transformed into a | | | | The stone then goes through a series of cutters |
| beautiful piece of jewelry, the diamond must | | | | who each have their own specialty. Finally the |
| undergo several stages. | | | | diamond is polished and ready for sale. |
| STAGE 1 - MINING | | | | STAGE 4 - THE FINAL JOURNEY |
| The diamonds that made it to the surface were | | | | After a diamond is manufactured it needs to be |
| forced up volcanically, through kimberlite pipes. A | | | | sold. For decades diamond manufacturers have |
| typical pipe mine consists of a large vertical shaft | | | | sold their cut diamonds to jewelry manufacturers |
| with tunnels running from the main pipe. The | | | | and diamond wholesalers who in turn, sell to |
| deepest mine runs about 3,500 feet down into | | | | jewelry wholesalers and to retail jewelry stores. |
| the earth. More than 200 tons of rock, gravel and | | | | Today's technology is changing the diamond |
| sand need to be blasted, crushed and processed | | | | pipeline. Diamond manufacturers now have a |
| to yield just one carat of gem quality diamonds. | | | | direct link to the final customer. |
| Finding diamonds and getting them out of the | | | | By learning the 4C's and buying only certified |
| ground may require the use of jet engines to | | | | diamonds it is possible to purchase the same |
| thaw the frozen ground or to endure the | | | | quality diamond for a significantly lower price, over |
| sweltering desert heat. Only about 20% of all | | | | the internet. |
| rough diamonds are suitable for polishing; the rest | | | | |