How is diamond formed?

Diamonds are precious and fascinating. They have been valuable for many centuries because of their beauty and worth. But how is diamond formed? The history of diamond formation is as unusual as the diamond itself. Here we have a clear outlook on the process from the start up to the end of the series.

The Origins Deep in the Earth

It is created deep in the Earth. This happens at a depth of 140 to 240 kilometers below ground. The setting here is unique. The temperature here must be so high – from 1 093°C and up to 1 204 °C. The pressure also has to be very high – over 5 gigapascals or 725,000 pounds per square inch.

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Carbon: The Essential Ingredient

Carbon is the element on which a diamond is formed. The question therefore arises as to just how that carbon becomes a diamond. It appears when the carbon atoms experience high pressure and temperature on the Earth's mantle. In those circumstances, the carbon atoms are bound together uniquely in the pattern described above. Together they form an atomic structure that makes diamonds have that necessary hardness and toughness.

The Ascent to the Surface

Diamonds are formed deep down, but the process that ends up bringing diamonds to our world occurs due to volcanic activity. Millions of years ago, these high-power volcanic eruptions took the diamond further to the surface of Earth. These eruptions were sudden and forceful, creating pipes of volcanic rock called kimberlite and lamproite.

Diamonds traveled up through these pipes and cooled near the surface. This process preserves their crystal structure. Today diamond miners look for these like kimberlite and lamproite pipes to extract diamonds.

Other Ways Diamonds Form

Impact Diamonds

When a meteor strikes the Earth, a meteor impact creates high pressure and temperature. Such pressure and temperature can be able to create diamonds in that contact region. For example, several impact diamonds are found in the Popigai crater in Russia.

Subduction Zone Diamonds

Diamonds are also found in subduction zones. This is an area where one tectonic plate is sliding under another. The movement of this plate would also push carbon deep into the Earth's mantle where it would be found under extreme conditions and eventually form diamonds.

Space Diamonds

Certainly, science has made some amazing finds in space. Diamonds have been found in meteorites with tiny particles. These scientists believe that these tiny diamonds were created at the birth of stars.

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The Final Form and Mining

Once the minerals are deep within the earth, the diamonds remain trapped inside rocks until mining releases them. There are two major methods of mining diamonds:

Open-pit mining

For open-pit mining, people dig enormous holes in the earth to reach diamond-rich rock.

Underground mining

In such a case, if the diamond minerals lie further in the earth, miners resort to underground mining. They dig tunnels to reach and extract the precious stones.

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Final Thoughts

How is diamond formed? - Diamond formation is a natural wonder. As can be noted, the right combination of pressure, temperature, and time is required. A diamond's history whether it is located deep in the Earth, by the impacts of meteorites or possibly even from space differs. The next time you first set eyes on a diamond, consider how it got into your possession in the first place. Understanding this process makes these pretty gems so much more special.

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