Diamonds: The reservoir of rareness, but how rare are natural diamonds?
Posted by Hari Krishna
June 23, 2021
Rare. This word means scarce or not of a regular occurrence. You must have seen this word roaming around with precious gemstones or jewellery, including natural diamonds.
Talking about natural diamonds, they are often referred to as the rarest of rare gemstones. But have you ever wondered why they exaggerate things when it comes to diamonds?
Are diamonds that rare? Or Is it just used for creating a marketing bubble? Or they have an intrinsic value that justifies this and drives their worth?
Well, here we are with answers to all these questions, and let us straight jump on to them:
As stated, the word rare illustrates anything made of scarce materials.
However, you might be surprised to know that diamonds are composed of pure carbon – the most common mineral found on earth.
Despite what makes diamonds rare is the crystallization of carbon atoms in the diamond structure.
This crystallization process occurs thousands of miles below the earth’s surface under extremely high pressure and temperature. It takes billions of years to form diamonds.
After the formation, diamonds reach the earth’s surface through volcanic eruptions and embed in solidified igneous rocks, popularly known as kimberlites.
These cataclysmic geological events like volcanic eruptions occurred almost 20 million years ago. So, what has already reached the surface has our access.
Another term we have used above to define rare is the not of a regular occurrence.
In a world where new deposits of diamonds nowhere seem close to our reach, and existing deposits are very few, it takes the rarity of the diamonds to another level.
Because of this genesis, the extraordinary mineral – diamonds are so rare and valuable. Their allure and hardness make them ideal commodities for personal and industrial use, respectively.
From the early ages, diamonds have attached to royalty, prosperity, and luxurious living. But why so?
Since we have seen that diamonds are rare, let us take you through the things about diamonds that make them not only rare but the rarest of rare minerals found on the earth.
• Finding a piece of forever:
Generally, natural diamonds can be found in two environments. The first and most popular is in kimberlite rocks, created due to volcanic activity.
The second and less popular is in placer deposits. Some diamonds are easily weathered out of the kimberlites and washed away by the rivers. They then can be found in the placer deposits of the same river when it slows down.
The chances of finding high-quality diamonds from the later source are less, and the cost of underground mining to extract the diamond is comparatively high.
Over the last century, only 1000 (out of 7000+ sampled – ≈15%) kimberlites contain diamonds. Of which, only 60+ (≈1%) are sufficiently rich and economically viable to mine.
Natural diamonds are currently mined only in approximately 35 countries globally, including Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Russia, South Africa, etc.
Also, recovering the diamond from the ore requires a tremendous volume of ore to be extracted and processed, and it is costly.
Additionally, these mines are often in remote areas, which has their challenges and costs.
All of this proves how difficult it is to mine natural diamonds (in terms of time and cost), making diamonds truly rare to find.
• Industrial & gem-quality natural diamonds:
As mentioned, not all diamonds are of high quality and suitable to put in a piece of jewellery.
The vast majority of diamonds recovered from the ore of most mines are of low quality, which is unsuitable for jewellery. They are suitable for industrial purposes.
The ratio of gem-quality diamonds to industrial diamonds varies through different mines and sometimes even across a single mine.
Tons of ore can often recover a piece of gem-quality rough diamond weighing half a carat. Yes, it is true. Now you know why we say gem-quality natural diamonds – the rarest of the rare gem.
• That one in a million diamonds to wear:
Well, now that you already know that natural diamonds are rare, we must tell you, the highest quality (3EX) and large diamonds (>5 Cts in size) are even rare to possess.
You might be surprised to know that a polished natural diamond of over 1-carat in weight is one in a million.
Yes. Globally, the largest cut diamond to date is the Cullinan diamond (often known as the Star of Africa), which weighs 530.20 carats.
We know that today diamonds are both widely available and affordable. Yet, large, good color and fine-clarity natural diamonds are still rare.
• The rainbow colors of natural diamonds:
Sometimes, during the diamond crystallization process beneath the earth, foreign elements combine with the carbon bond. They influence the diamond’s color and shape.
Though colorless diamonds are rare, naturally colored diamonds are even rare to find. Less than 1/10,000 gem-quality diamonds (and ≈2% of all rough diamond production) are naturally colored.
Whereas yellow and brown diamonds are relatively common, all other naturally-colored diamonds are even rare to find.
Click here to read our dedicated blog that discusses the rarity of naturally colored diamonds.
Though rarity can be one factor, diamonds are not expensive just based on them. The diamond supply chain is large and has more to do with its final price.
We have already seen that diamond mining is an expensive procedure. But we must tell you that diamond cutting and polishing is not an easy job.
It requires modern technology, highly-skilled gemologists, and advanced machinery to brilliantly cut rough diamonds, retaining maximum weight and produce immense sparkle.
Once the diamond is polished, the chain does not stop here. One requires skilled hands to embed diamonds perfectly into the piece of jewellery.
This entire diamond supply chain is the primary reason why diamonds are so expensive (not only the rarity), while others are their size, quality, demand, etc.
The notion that clever advertising campaigns have created the desire for diamonds amongst people is not correct. But unique qualities of diamonds have made them rare and the most coveted gems for centuries.
There is still something magical about owning ethereal, delicate, and exquisite natural diamonds amongst the masses, and that is not going anywhere too soon.
Natural diamonds are natural resources, and like all of the other natural reserves on the earth, natural diamond reserves are finite and only getting rarer.
However, by this point, we must agree on the fact that natural diamonds, as such, are not that rare but high-quality natural diamonds used in jewellery are rare.
These billions of years old wonder – diamonds speak dazzle of memory and seal the lifelong connection with wearers, reflecting a classic timelessness.
Natural diamonds have always been a conspicuous part of our lives because if you are holding a rare natural diamond in your hand, you are holding a piece of history forever captured in this priceless gem.
That is why these alluring natural diamonds, older than humankind & precious gift of nature, are one of the best things to own.
Do you also want to own the precious part of history? Well, you are already at the right place.
Hari Krishna Exports is one of the largest natural diamond manufacturers in India.
Ethically sourced natural diamonds from the renowned diamond mines (i.e.., Alrosa, DDC, De Beers, Rio Tinto), impeccable diamond quality, best business practices, makes HK Diamonds highly desired in the masses and exported to over 85 countries in the world.
Check out our latest inventory of natural diamonds in a wide range, starting from 0.18 to 50 carats plus in size, in round & 8+ different Fancy shapes, having certified and non-certified diamonds.
[Please Note: All the data used here are taken from the various sources of the internet. HK does not own or claim the originality of these data.]
