Abroad and 500 Meters Deep: the Search for Luxurious Diamonds
The word “diamond” originates from the Greek word meaning “indestructible”.
Diamonds are created in the earth upper crust layer at temperatures of 900-1300 °C. They are found at fairly large depths; mines can be up to 500 meter deep. India and Borneo were the only countries in the 18th century which produced precious diamonds. However, the situation in the 21st century is completely different: the production in two countries is now nearly negligible.
The largest diamond mine
This might surprise you, but Australia is one of the largest global producers of luxurious diamonds. The largest deposits are located in its western region, near Kimberley; there you’ll find the mine Argyle which produces the most diamonds in the world. However, diamonds can’t be mined infinitely; this particular deposit is expected to be mined out by the end of next year.
Australia is closely followed by the African country of Botswana, which produces diamonds of exceptional quality. The third largest producer is also an African country, specifically the South African Republic; its diamond mines have already been well known at the turn of the nineteenth century, when there was a diamond rush here. Last but not least we mention Russia, specifically Yakutsk in Siberia.
Find your own diamond
Diamond mining is not an easy task, and in fact you can convince yourself of this fact personally. Where? At the Crater of Diamonds in Arkansas, USA. There you’ll find a natural reservation where you can borrow a pickaxe and try to get your own luxurious diamond in an abandoned diamond mine. Of course, you won’t find people using pickaxes in large mines anymore, but here this is merely a form of entertainment; in fact, you can keep everything you manage to mine.
Naturally, this location isn’t a high-yield mine. Still, diamonds are in fact located here; just not in quantities which would cover the mining expenses.
