| Where do the largest diamonds come from? | | | | They do no only come in white, but various |
| There are records of diamonds in ancient history. | | | | beautiful colors as well. These are mostly Argyle |
| It has been thought that in ancient times they all | | | | diamonds from Western Australia, which are the |
| came from India, but in more recent history they | | | | hardest diamonds found in the world. Colored |
| were discovered in 1866 in South Africa in the | | | | diamonds are graded according to the intensity of |
| Northern Cape region in a place called Hope Town. | | | | color. The atoms in the Argyle diamonds are |
| A diamond was discovered by a shepherd boy on | | | | bonded together in a more complex arrangement |
| the banks of the Orange River and passed on to | | | | than other diamonds. This complex structure is |
| someone who had it examined by an expert. | | | | responsible for the brilliant colors found in these |
| It turned out to be a 21.25carat diamond and was | | | | diamonds. They are graded according to the |
| named the "Eureka". Later in 1871 another one | | | | intensity of color. |
| was found on the slopes of the Colesberg Kopje | | | | About 21% of the world's diamonds are mined in |
| in the same area. This inevitably led to a diamond | | | | Russia in very cold conditions. The largest mine is |
| rush to the area and the founding of the town of | | | | located just below the Arctic Circle and produces |
| Kimberley. With hundreds of people all clamoring | | | | high quality gems. It seems that diamonds are |
| to find their fortunes, the Colesberg Kopje (a | | | | scattered all over the world, they just need to be |
| small hill) was turned into a massive hole and is still | | | | discovered. |
| one of the landmarks of the area around | | | | There are very strict laws in most countries |
| Kimberley today. | | | | about alluvial diamonds. Areas where they are |
| The Cullinan Diamond Mine, also situated in South | | | | found are strictly out of bounds for anyone not |
| Africa produced the largest rough gem quality | | | | connected to the relevant mining company. It is |
| diamond in the world in 1905. It was 3 | | | | very difficult to sell uncut gem stones as you will |
| 106.75carats and was named the Cullinan Diamond. | | | | have to explain where you found them. This |
| This mine is still in full operation today and still | | | | prohibits anyone from picking up diamonds in an |
| yields many gems, although never again such a | | | | unauthorized zone. Although diamonds are not |
| large one as the Cullinan. The "Golden Jubilee" | | | | very scarce they remain very expensive because |
| diamond was found in 1985 in the same mine with | | | | the market is strictly controlled in order to keep |
| a weight of 545.67 ccarats. | | | | the prices up. |