How Diamonds Form Underground

Ask anybody about why a diamond is so special, and you will get the standard replies about the beauty, price, and exclusiveness of these unique gems.  In reality, it is those features that make diamonds so appealing, but the true power of these elemental masterpieces comes from how they are made and how they are brought to the surface of the Earth.  It is cool stuff indeed!

While the science behind diamonds is impressive, it would not be as important if not for the more mainstream qualities that garner such high respect for diamonds.  After all, there are many substances that are formed through interesting scientific processes, but unless there is actual use to what is produced, that doesn't mean much, except to scientific eggheads in their grand Universities.

The chemical composition of a diamond is exactly the same as what you use in your pencil or the coal we burn for energy.  A diamond is simply carbon, nothing else.  Of course, there is a little more to it than just that.  The carbon in diamonds is compressed at extremely high depths in the surface of the Earth, and in addition to the massive pressure, there is also a high temperature.  The combination enables the carbon to be intensely concentrated, so much so that the resulting output is the hardest mineral in existence.  It is impossible to cut a diamond, except with powerful lasers.  It cannot even be broken with a bullet.

In order for diamonds to be brought to the surface, they must go through something called a diatreme.  This is a volcano-like structure in which deep minerals are shot up at supersonic speeds!  While this has never been witnessed by humans, as diatremes became inactive millions of years ago, we know about them based on scientific observation, experimentation, and extrapolation.