Where do Diamonds come from?
World Production of Diamonds (Country/Carats)
Diamonds began forming over three billion years ago as pure carbon crystals buried 100 miles beneath the earth’s surface. Under the force of intense heat and pressure, these crystals hardened and became embedded in kimberlite, a form of igneous rock.
Diamonds are very rare; over 250 tons of kimberlite ore must be mined and processed to produce a 1-carat gemstone. In some cases, erosion in the kimberlite caused diamonds to be released from the ore. This resulted in a secondary deposit called “alluvial” diamonds. These diamonds flow toward the sea and settle in riverbeds, often far from their original source. When diamonds are mined, they look like clear or colored crystal rocks and are referred to as “rough.” Diamonds were first mined in India over 3,000 years ago. Today, Botswana, Canada, Russia, Angola, South Africa, DR Congo, Namibia and Lesotho are sources of commercial deposits of diamonds all producing more than one million carats per year.
Mining companies
Many of the worlds largest mining companies also mine diamonds; BHP, Rio Tinto, Anglo American, to name a few. Some other key companies are Alrosa, Debeers, Debswana, Dominion Diamond Mines, Endiama and Petra Diamonds. The top 5 companies control 70% of the global production.