Diamond from the Greek adamas (meaning invincible).

A diamond is a mineral. Diamonds are made up of carbon which is crystallized below the Earth. This carbon has to be subjected to extremely high temperatures and pressure over at least 100 years. Diamonds are formed below the Earth’s surface at 150-200km (93-124 miles) or deeper. The hardest of all known natural materials, diamond comes in at 10 on Mohs scale. They were formed over 70 million years ago through volcanic eruptions. The magma brought the diamond-bearing ore to the surface, which in turn cooled and solidified to create the blue ground or kimberlite.

Diamonds have been highly prized and valued gemstones for many hundreds of years. Initial uses included religious icons in ancient India. The popularity of diamonds has dramatically increased since the 19^th century due to much greater supplies, cuts and polishes of the gemstone. Also growth in world economy has meant more and more people can afford to mine for and buy diamonds. Other factors that have influenced the growth in the popularity of diamonds is the media. Stars and icons have diamonds and there is also more advertising available.

Different coluors, sizes, shapes and cuts all vary and have different values depending on what and who the diamond is being created for. Different diamond cuts include; princess cut, round cut, Marquise cut, Emerald cut and cushion cut to name just a few.  Diamonds also come in a vast array of colours including; yellow, blue, white, black, brown, purple and pink. An extremely rare colour is red. Diamonds with a higher value and which are more sought after are those in a chosen colour yet transparent; with only subtle amounts of colour visible. This type of gemstone is highly valued. Yet on the other hand, poorly and overcolored diamonds have industrial uses such as being crushed to create abrasive powder.