Diamonds

The diamond got its name because of its hardness ( from the greek: The unconquerable,the indomitable ) It's sad to be unperishable just because nothing compare its hardness.

The diamond can be found in primary and secondary mines. Untill 1871, the diamonds were extracted exclusively of flowing mines, by the washing process. Casualy, primary mines were discovered in South Africa: The volcanic pipes, which contains the matrix stone of the diamond - the kimberlit. The diamond is originated in deep earth (maybe 80 km or even more ), in a temperature of 1100ºC or 1300°C and under high pressure. The eruption of its matrix stone (kimberlit ), project it to the surface through the volcanic pipes.The diamond mines can be found in different places around the word, but Africa and Siberia are specially gifted. Untill the 18 th century, it were found some gem of historic value principally in India. In 1843, the first diamonds in the South America continent started showing its beauty to the world in a city called nowadays as Diamantina in Minas Gerais ( Brazil ). In 1843 the black-birth carbon, a set of minicrystal diamond, were discovered in Bahia and were really estimated because of its resistance. Brasil led the international production of diamonds during the 18th and 19th century, but South Africa took first position then. The brazilian mines were predominantly flowing ones, but also with stones similar to the kimberlit.

Another cutting diamonds are famous because of its size, beauty and sometimes because of its history. For example we have: CullinaII, De Beers, Gran Mongol, Jonker I, Nizam, Jubileo, Orloff, Regent, South Star, Victoria I.

The biggest crude stones used so as to jewel ends, in carats, are: Cullinan (3106), Excelsior (995,2), Serra Leoa Star ( 968,9), Gran Mogol (800), Woyie River (770), President Vargas (726,6), Jubilieu (originally called Reitz, 650,8), Dutoitspan (616), Baumgold (609).

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