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Diamonds: Mighty Minerals
by Mandes Dosdia
http:/www.reeddiamonds.com
The diamond is so timeless that it outlasts even the
longest marriages. Diamonds began to be mined in India
around 800 B.C. Before the Middle Ages, diamonds around the
world were seen as protective objects against evil or good
luck charms, and valued for their ability to reflect light.
According to an Australian diamond merchant, legend has it
that some mine owners perpetuated a myth that diamonds were
poisonous to prevent miners from swallowing them and taking
them out of the mine.
Each diamond takes over three billion years to transform
into this rare transparent form of pure carbon. Since
this crystallization occurs at a very high temperature
and pressure, it necessarily takes deep within the
earths crust. The effect of heat and pressure at depths
over 200 km results in the formation of diamonds.
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 originate from other places too. Plate tectonics
cause collisions between continents that bring pieces of
earth's crust up to the surface and, as a result, diamonds.
Also, meteor impacts create great pressure and diamonds.
Diamonds are strong and unbreakable, the hardest mineral
around, hence their name which derives from the
Greek: "unconquerable".
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
Diamonds may be found in different places and different
forms. Some of the likely places where diamonds may be
found are:
*~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
Diamonds are extensively used in all walks of life and
industry. While about 20 percent of mined diamonds are
used in jewelry, the rest are used in the industry. Some
industrial uses are as drill bits and cutting tools, in
machinery, mineral services, stone and ceramic products,
abrasives, construction, and transportation equipment.
Diamond truly is a possession that lasts for ever.
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