Where Are Diamonds Found?
Where in the World are they?
There are over 63,000 jewelry stores in the U.S., and thousands more in other countries around the world. These jewelry stores sell diamonds that were mined from the Earth in countries all over the world. This begs the question: Where are diamonds found? Diamonds are found in over 30 countries, but the leading producers of diamonds are:
- Russia
- Botswana
- Canada
- Angola
- South Africa
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Namibia
Diamonds in Russia
There are nine diamond mines in Russia, four of which are underground.
Russia is also home to fourteen alluvial placers, which are trap sites located in rivers or streams.
Russia is the world’s leading producer of diamonds, mining more than 23 million carats of high-quality diamonds in 2018.
Diamonds in Botswana
Botswana is a small country, but it is the second-leading producer of diamonds in the world. Russia produces more diamonds per year, but Botswana produces bigger, more valuable diamonds. Many of these diamonds come from the famous Jwaneng mine, which is often called the richest diamond mine in the world.
Diamonds from Botswana have been incorporated into countless pieces of jewelry, including Meghan Markle’s engagement ring. This proves that diamonds from this country are truly fit for royalty.
Diamonds in Canada
The first commercial diamond mine in Canada opened in 1998, and the industry has been booming in this country ever since. Mining is not easy in Canada, however. The mines are in remote locations that are only accessible via icy roads, which makes transporting workers and supplies back and forth quite difficult. The industry has thrived in Canada despite these challenges.
There are a number of regulations in Canada that have been established to protect miners and the environment. Some consumers are drawn to Canadian diamonds for this reason. Many stunning diamonds have been produced in Canada, including a 552-carat yellow diamond that was unearthed in 2018. This incredible diamond is the largest that has ever been found in North America.
Diamonds in Angola
The country of Angola has been producing diamonds for over 100 years. Most of the diamonds are mined in the Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul provinces.
Angola produces many of the world’s largest type IIa diamonds. There are no nitrogen or boron impurities found in type IIa diamonds, which makes them the most chemically pure diamonds in the world. Type IIa diamonds are typically colorless, but some of them have a brilliant pink color.
Diamonds in South Africa
There are mines and alluvial deposits filled with diamonds located throughout the country of South Africa. Diamonds are also produced in offshore marina mines, where workers use specialized equipment to extract diamonds from the seabed.
The largest diamond in the world, The Cullinan, was discovered in a South African mine. This 3106-carat nearly flawless diamond was unearthed in 1905 in the Premier Mine located in Transvaal, South Africa. It has since been cut into 9 large diamonds, 96 small diamonds, and nearly 20 carats of unpolished chips.
Diamonds in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the world’s leading producers of diamonds, but only a small portion of the country has been mined.
It’s possible that this country will move up even further on the list once mining begins in the rest of the country.
Diamonds in Namibia
The diamonds in Namibia are found in alluvial deposits, offshore mines, and raised beach deposits near the coast. The miners in this country have discovered innovative ways to extract diamonds located offshore.
More offshore mining occurs in Namibia than any other country in the world thanks to these new techniques.
Are Diamonds Found in the United States?
The U.S. is the world’s leading consumer of diamonds, but there are no commercial mines in the country. There is one active diamond mine located just outside of Murfreesboro, Arkansas known as the Crater of Diamonds.
This is a “pay-to-dig” mine that attracts thousands of tourists hoping to stumble upon some diamonds every year. Tourists that visit this attraction are allowed to take any diamonds they find home with them, which is why it is such a popular destination.
Why Is A Diamond’s Country of Origin Important?
It’s important to find out where a diamond is from prior to purchasing it. Why? Some of the diamonds mined in war-torn countries are sold to finance violent military action against innocent people. These diamonds are known as either blood diamonds or conflict diamonds.
A number of efforts have been made to stop the flow of conflict diamonds, but you should still confirm that the diamond you want to purchase is conflict free.
Avoid Bad Diamonds!
Avoid purchasing a conflict diamond by finding out where a diamond is from before buying it. Most conflict diamonds are traced back to war-torn countries in Africa, such as Sierra Leone and Angola. You can ensure you go home with a conflict-free diamond by choosing one that did not originate in one of these countries.
It’s also best to purchase jewelry from retailers like Brilliance that pride themselves on selling conflict-free diamonds. Choosing an ethical retailer eliminates the need to learn more about the diamond’s backstory.
Are All Diamonds Found in Nature?
Real diamonds are naturally produced hundreds of miles beneath the Earth’s surface, but some retailers sell diamonds that were created in a laboratory. Scientists must simulate the conditions found in the Earth’s mantle in a laboratory setting in order to produce lab-created diamonds. This involves putting a small amount of a natural or synthetic diamond in a high-pressure, high-temperature environment until the gemstone forms.
The process is less intensive than mining, so these diamonds tend to cost less than natural diamonds. They may come with a smaller price tag, but lab-created diamonds lack the uniqueness and history of diamonds formed in nature.
The Beautiful Journey of A Diamond
There’s no doubt that it takes a lot of work to supply jewelry stores around the world with beautiful diamonds.
Find the perfect diamond to feature in your next piece of jewelry using Brilliance’s loose diamond search tool. This tool allows you to filter by color, shape, carat, clarity, and more so you can quickly find the diamond of your dreams!
