DIAMOND

DIAMOND DOCUMENTATION

Diamonds are older than life on Earth
Many diamonds formed 1–3 billion years ago. To put this into perspective,

this was long before dinosaurs, trees, and life.

Ancient diamonds were worn uncut
For centuries, diamonds were kept in their natural octahedral form,

which is how they look when pulled out of the ground. Cutting diamonds for shine and brilliance didn’t become standard until the Renaissance. Before that, raw geometry was the luxury, and they were prized for hardness and symbolism, not the sparkle! Modern, shiny, 'ice-white' obsession is only a 20th-century invention.

The largest diamonds mined are rarely the most valuable
Massive diamonds are often brown, included, or structurally weak. The most valuable diamonds balance size, purity, colour, and narrative - not simply scale.

The GIA diamond chart below explains this well.

GIA DIAMOND CHART

RARITY

9/10 (for exceptional diamonds) Diamonds are geologically not too uncommon. However, large, colourless, flawless, or fancy-colour diamonds (pink, blue, red) are extremely rare.

Only 20-30% of all diamonds mined meet the standards for gem quality. Flawless/Internally Flawless diamonds constitute less than 1% of all gem-quality diamonds. To put it simply, the diamonds we use are incredibly rare in terms of quality.

VALUE

8/10 Diamonds have been, are, and will continue to be the most recognised, demanded and classic gemstone worldwide. Value is driven as much by story, cultural significance, and branding as by geology.

They're the true king of all gemstones. A timeless classic, quite literally older than life itself.

GEMSTONE FAMILY

Diamonds are in a class of their own, made of pure super-compressed carbon, arranged in a crystal lattice. While they share the same chemistry as graphite, the extreme pressure of the Earth's mantle forces the atoms into the world's hardest natural structure.

Diamonds form when pure carbon is subjected to both extreme heat and pressure, roughly 150 to 200 kilometres deep in the Earth's mantle. Over billions of years, these conditions force carbon atoms to bond into a rigid, three-dimensional cubic lattice structure.

They remain trapped at these depths until rare, violent volcanic eruptions blast them toward the surface at high speeds, preserving their crystalline form.

EARLIEST USAGE

The earliest recorded usage of diamonds was in India, during the 4th century BC. They are referenced in ancient Sanskrit texts such as the Arthashastra. Historically they were believed to be talismans for invincibility, and symbols of divine strength, whilst also being used (as they still are today) as cutting tools.

The word diamond comes from Greek 'adamas', meaning unconquerable. A fitting name for the hardest natural material on earth.

Diamonds only entered Europe much later via trade routes. They were Eastern power objects centruries before Western luxury goods.

SIGNIFICANT DEPOSITS

South Africa – Kimberley Mine (The Big Hole), is the birthplace of the modern pit-mining industry. The mine reaches a final depth of 1,097 metres (3,599 feet) through massive, complex underground shafts.

Botswana – Jwaneng Mine. Currently the most valuable diamond mine on Earth by value. 60-70% of famed diamond company De Beers' revenue comes from this mine alone.

India – Golconda. Source of the world’s most legendary diamonds until the 18th century when mines became exhausted. The two most expensive diamonds ever came from Golconda -The Koh-i-Noor (priceless), is cited as the most valuable diamond ever, due to its immense cultural and royal history. Weighing 105.6 carats, it is now the central stone of the British Crown Jewels. Also The Cullinan (estimated $2 Billion) is the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found (3,106 carats). Its largest cut stone, the Cullinan I (530.2 carats), is the centre of the Sovereign's Sceptre, as seen in the image.

Russia – Mirny Mine. Massive open-pit mine, visible from space, often referred to as the 'portal mine'. This massive, (now decommissioned) open-pit mine in Siberia is often described as looking like a 'portal to the underworld' due to its immense size.

Canada – Ekati & Diavik highly ethically positioned mines, producing

high-clarity stones.

DIAMOND

DIAMOND DOCUMENTATION

SIGNIFICANT DEPOSITS

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