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B-2018 Antwerpen

The diamond has been scientifically investigated like no other gem. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of unclarity the scientists could not agree on. Quite specific elements of the earth united into quite specific components; they were exposed to very high pressures and then they cooled off and petrified at quite a specific speed during quite a specific space of time.

The probability that all these conditions were met was infinitesimally small, and this explains why diamonds are so relatively rare.The diamond undoubtedly stems from deeper layers of the earth than all other gems. Its process of formation begins with near certainty 150 to 300 kilometres (or even more) below the surface of out planet in the upper mantle of the earth, the layer which is circa 2900 kilometres thick and lies between the molten outer core and the solid earth's crust.

The geologists agree only roughly on the processes by which the diamonds were created in these hidden depths and then transported to the earth's surface. From laboratory tests for the synthetic fabrication of diamonds scientists have concluded that temperatures of at least 1500°C and pressures of 67 kbar - almost 66000 times the normal atmospheric pressure - are necessary to excite carbon atoms to crystallise in this most precious of forms. (Update note: Recently German researchers of the Max Planck Institute for Metals Research in Stuttgart, Germany, succeeded in producing synthetic diamonds at 600 - 800° C and electron irradiation. MSN-News)

There is also agreement that diamonds occur mainly in slender eruptive channels, so-called "pipes". These deposits of volcanic rock - generated by prehistoric volcanic eruptions - were transported through the earth's crust for kilometres, from the upper mantle to the earth's surface.Little is known about these facts, although there is no lack of theories. (s. Questions for details) However this process may have occurred, it seems to be over in any event. No diamond-carrying pipe has formed in the last 15 million years.