HISTORY OF DIAMONDS

From myths about valleys of diamonds protected by snakes, to the production of millions of carats in rough diamonds each year, the history of diamonds is one of mystical power, beauty and commercial expertise.

Early History
The first recorded history of the diamond dates back some 3,000 years to India, where it is likely that diamonds were first valued for their ability to refract light. In those days, the diamond was used in two ways-for decorative purposes, and as a talisman to ward off evil or provide protection in battle..

The Dark Ages
The diamond was also used for some time as medical aid. One anecdote, written during the Dark Ages by St Hildegarde, relates how a diamond held in the hand while making a sign of the cross would heal wounds and cure illnesses. Diamonds were also ingested in the hope of curing sickness. During the early Middle Ages, Pope Clement unsuccessfully used this treatment in a bid to aid his recovery.

The Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages more attention was paid to the worth of diamonds, rather than the mystical powers surrounding them. Due to the heightened public awareness of the value of diamonds, mine owners perpetuated myths that diamonds were poisonous. This was to prevent the mineworkers swallowing the diamonds in an attempt to smuggle them out of the mines.The popularity of diamonds surged during the Middle Ages, with the discovery of many large and famous stones in India, such as the Koh-I-Noor and the Blue Hope. Today India maintains the foremost diamond polishing industry in the world. As the Indian diamond supply dwindled, smaller finds occurred in Borneo and Brazil, but these were not sufficient to meet the ever-increasing demand for diamonds. The mid-nineteenth century discovery of diamonds near the Orange River in South Africa sparked the world's biggest diamond rush, and helped to satiate the world's increasing appetite for diamonds.

Recent Times During the mid-nineteenth century, diamonds were also being discovered in eastern Australia. However, it was not until late 1970's, after seven years of earnest searching, that Australia's alleged potential as a diamond producer was validated.

Diamond Mining

Diamond Mining





Diamonds are extracted from the earth crust via three main types on mining. These diamond extraction methods depends on how minerals are deposited within the earth, the stability of material surrounding the , and the peripheral damage done to the surrounding environment. The principle methods of extraction for diamonds are as follows:

• Hard Rock Mining
• Marine Mining
• Open Pit Mining
• Placer Mining

Hard-Rock Mining
The term “Hard Rock Diamond Mining” buy its name refers to various techniques used to mine gems, and ore bodies by tunneling underground and creating underground “rooms” supported by pillars of timber standing rock. Accessing the underground ore is achieved via a “decline”. A “decline” is a spiral tunnel which circles the borders of the ore deposit or circles around the deposit. A “decline” is generally used for personnel and machinery access to the ore.

Open Pit Mining

Open-Pit diamond mining also known as “Open-Cast Mining” is a method of extracting rough diamonds from the earth by removal from an open pit. Open pit mines are used when deposits of minerals are found near the surface. Open pit mining is used when the “overburden,” or surface material covering the deposit, is relatively thin or the minerals are imbedded in structurally unstable earth that is unsuitable for tunneling.

Placer Mining
Placer Diamond Mining is also known as “sand bank mining” is used for extracting diamonds from alluvial secondary deposits. Placer Mining is a form of open-pit or open-cast mining used to extract diamonds from the surface of the earth without the use of tunneling. Excavation is accomplished using water pressure or surface excavating equipment.

Marine Mining
Marine mining technology only became viable only in the in the early 1990s. Marine diamond mining employs both “vertical” and “horizontal” techniques to extract diamonds from offshore pl deposits. Vertical marine mining uses a 5 to 8 meter diameter drill head to cut into the seabed and suck up the diamond bearing material from the sea bed. Horizontal mining employs the use of Seabed Crawlers move across the sea floor pumping gravel up to an offshore vessel.