How Are Diamonds Formed? Where Did Diamonds Form?
For all of those who really want to delve into what makes up a
diamond or how are diamonds formed or where did diamonds form, well, this is where you will learn all about
this exciting information. All kidding aside, this is actually a very
interesting topic and we will cover in as much detail about how diamonds form
, where diamonds form, and even more gemology than you can handle. So for those of you who must know the answer to the question, "How are diamonds formed"... sit back and enjoy the ride, my friend because it is about to get hot!
|
Composition |
| Color: Colorless, Yellow, Brown,
Green, Blue, Reddish, Pink, Grey & Black |
Transparency: Transparent |
| Color of Streak: Not possible due
to hardness |
Refractive Index: 2.417 - 2.419 |
| Moh's Hardness Scale: 10 (the
highest) |
Specific Gravity: 3.47 - 3.55 |
| Cleavage: Perfect |
Fracture: Chonchoidal to
Splintery |
| Chemical Makeup: Pure
Crystallized Carbon |
Crystal Definition: Cubic
(isometric), mainly octahedrons |
Diamonds formed as crystals and are composed of pure carbon (C).
Where most gems are a combination of elements, the diamond is one of
the few stones that is made up of one single element. They
take their form under tremendous heat and pressure. The only place
where these types of conditions exist are deep beneath the Earth's
surface. The depth that diamonds are formed is about 150km to200km (90 to
120 miles) below the surface and at temperatures ranging from 900 to
1300 on the Celsius scale. When these two actions are interacting
together, Carbon atoms are literally forced together combining in
cubic molecular formation, and ultimately creating diamond crystals. This is how diamonds are formed.
Diamonds formed in lower sections of the Earth's mantle, and are
then brought to the surface in rocks called, kimberlite. Diamonds
are brought to the surface by volcanic eruptions. The volcanic magma
conduit is known as a kimberlite pipe or diamond pipe. We find
diamonds as inclusions in the volcanic rock known as kimberlite.
What are Kimberlites?
Kimberlites, or narrow pipe shaped fissures that exist through the
continental crust are unusual ultramafic rocks that apparently have
been explosively emplaced from deep within the Earth's mantle. To
ensure the diamonds are not converted to graphite, they must be
transported extremely rapidly to the Earth's surface. It is probable
that kimberlite lavas carrying diamonds erupt at speeds between 10
and 30 km/hour. Within the last few kilometers, the eruption
velocity probably increases to several hundred km/hr. Kimberlites
form serpentine paths of mica peridotites that carry a variety of
minerals which can withstand high pressures, including diamonds.
They act like a conveyor belt are normally much younger than the
minerals they carry up to the surface. Most kimberlite pipes formed
during the Cretaceous Period from 135 to 65 million years ago. The
most prominent kimberlites are located in South Africa.
Diamond processes began billions of years ago just after the
formation of Earth. The earliest a diamond formed was over 990
million years ago and some are as old as 3.2 billion years. It has
been said that the carbon in these diamonds quite possibly had
originated on Earth's surface as life forms. It is truly amazing to
fathom our earth's history and our own ancestry may be bottled up in
these beautiful sparkling fires.
Now that you understand how diamonds are formed, read more on
diamonds in history or start your
search for diamond engagement rings
today. |
