Packing for a vacation usually does not involve grubby clothing, shovels, and work gloves, but if you are headed to the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas these are the exact items you will need. The Park is the only diamond mining site in the world that encourages visitors to explore the diamond fields, dig and pan for finds, and allows visitors to keep everything that is discovered. Continue reading »
Most of the natural diamonds that you admire in a jewelry store today were created millions, and perhaps billions, of years ago. Deep below the Earth’s surface (about 100 miles or more) the basic element of carbon was placed under intense levels of pressure and heat, and diamonds were born. The diamonds would have existed permanently in the molten rock of the Earth’s mantle, but small fissures and fractures formed in the mantle and crust and the magma, or molten rock, shot up to the Earth’s surface through these cracks. Acting just like an elevator the magma deposited diamonds, minerals and other stones along its path, and left behind what is called a kimberlite pipe.The pressures and forces of the magma reaching the surface caused an incredibly violent and powerful eruption, which left a vast crater in the surface full of sediments, volcanic rock, minerals, stones and diamonds. Kimberlite pipes were created by volcanic activity on most of the Earth’s continents and are identified by geologists and miners by the kimberlite rock that always accompanies diamonds. Continue reading »
Many people around the world search the oceans in hope of find a sunken ship full of lost treasure. One area of the world that has a great amount of sunken ships is the African coastlines. However, the geologists that recently stumbled upon a sunken treasure ship were originally looking for treasure of a different nature.
The treasure that the geologists were looking for was diamonds. The De Beers diamond company was the organization that first made the discovery of the sunken treasure ship. Once it was determined that the ship wreck was of great value, the Namdeb Diamond Corporation, which is a joint venture between the De Beers company and the Namibian government, stopped the process of searching for diamonds. The company then drained and cleared a portion of the seabed and built an earth wall to prevent the water from entering the area so that the geologist could have a better view of the amazing find. Continue reading »
Martin Rapaport is one of the foremost diamond authorities in the world. This reputation is due to his extensive diamond knowledge and study of the diamond market. In a recent interview, he has stated that the rare diamond market is currently in the middle of experiencing a strong surge. As Mr. Rapaport carries such enormous weight in the diamond world, this news is regarded by most in the diamond industry with tremendous interest.Mr. Rapaport states that the reason for the current rise of the rare diamond market is due to the rising cost of rare diamonds. This rising rare diamond per-carat cost is in turn due to the fact that diamonds are priced per-carat in dollars. As the dollar has weakened over the past number of years, more and more of the world’s wealthy have begun to invest in diamonds in order to protect against further weakening of the dollar. In other words, a diamond bought one day for $20,000 a carat, could be worth $22,000 a carat or more within a few months as the dollar continues to weaken. Continue reading »
There have been many recent reports about the diamond industry and the theft that is happening around the globe in it. While diamond theft is not something that is new, the number of large-scale thefts, sometimes worth millions of dollars, has really caused a stir in the industry. There are many examples of this throughout the news pages, but what you will find most interesting is that the theft process is so seemingly easy to accomplish. Even unaccomplished thieves are stealing at record levels and there looks to be no sign of stopping in the future.
Imagine a ten billion, trillion, trillion carat diamond. That’s not a typo - it’s the actual size of the largest diamond known to humankind today. This diamond would certainly be worth a sum so great, no person or nation could afford to buy it. Fortunately for those who can’t stand to be outclassed, this gigantic diamond is entirely off limits to everyone.The mega-diamond is located in the center of a white dwarf star referred to as BPM 37093, located in the Centaurus constellation. It is situated at a distance approximately 17 light years from Earth. In case you would like to do the math, a light year is about 6 trillion miles. BPM 37093 is the white dwarf’s official name, but scientists also refer to it as “Lucy,” named after the Beatle’s song, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Continue reading »
It is surprising how many people and couples in general, do not follow the traditional anniversary gifts. However, when it comes to the 10 year anniversary, the anniversary of diamonds, it is one year that both women and men are sure to remember.However, no matter how long you have been married, the anniversary gift can always prove to be a daunting task. It does not matter how much you are in love, how well-intentioned your gift is, or how many hints have been dropped leading up to your impending anniversary date.
With that in mind, a man or a woman could never go wrong with purchasing anniversary diamonds. When purchasing diamonds for the anniversary, there are several ways in which you can look to purchase diamonds. Continue reading »
Ever since diamonds were first discovered, two and a half millenniums ago, mankind has always realized the financial potential of these amazing stones. Evidence suggests that Indian people used these diamonds to decorate their religious deities. Hence they were cherished as gemstones many years ago. In recent times, diamonds have soured in popularity, especially since the 1800s. This is thanks to the industrial revolution, which taught civilization that these beautiful stones could be mined faster, in greater numbers, and with improved cutting and polishing.However, it should be noted that diamonds are not usually used as a mainline store of value during a financial crisis. This is because diamonds have a lack of fungibility (which refers to a commodity which has individual units capable of mutual substitution) as well as a low liquidity rate. Hence it is believed that diamonds make the best investment during times of hyperinflation. Continue reading »
Diamonds have fascinated most formal cultures and societies throughout the ages. Their beauty and value have brought about great disputes, warfare and bloodshed. They were generally only available to royalty or the super wealthy until the nineteenth century, when they began to enter the market at more affordable prices and at larger numbers than ever before. Until that time they were highly sought after objects that were used to display great wealth and power. Continue reading »
People have long heard the words, “A diamond is forever“, which it is. Throughout history, many rich and famous people have wowed the public with amazing diamonds, rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, tiaras, and more. Without doubt, famous people have a significant love for diamonds, creating a fairytale that the majority of people can only appreciate from afar. Continue reading »
