How can you tell where a diamond came from?

There's no data to even link rough or polished diamonds from any specific source based on characteristics. In fact, when it's all said and done, a diamond that's set in a piece of jewelry cannot be simply looked at or even guessed where it came from, let alone if it's mined or laboratory grown.

How do you know where your diamond came from?

GIA identifies the country of origin by requiring the diamond be received and examined in rough form in a sealed, tamper-proof package directly from the mine. Data is collected on the rough and each rough is assigned a unique identification number.

Can a diamond be traced?

Each GIA certified diamond with a serial number is registered in the GIA records with the name and contact information of he who sent the stone in to be assessed. The number is inscribed on girdle of the diamond, and if found, can be looked up in order to track down who rightfully owns it.

Where do diamonds come from and what is the process of finding them?

Diamond is thought to form 150 km to 200 km below the Earth's surface, where high temperatures (1050°C - 1200°C) and pressures (45 kilobars - 55 kilobars) allow it to crystallise. The diamonds may then be picked up by hot molten rock (magma) and transported upwards as the magma intrudes up into the Earth's crust.

What is a certificate of origin for diamonds?

The GIA Diamond Origin Report is a full assessment of a diamond's 4Cs of Diamond Quality (Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight) – just like the GIA Diamond Grading Report – however, the GIA Diamond Origin Report includes the added identification of the country where the diamond was mined and a laser inscription of the ...

Diamonds 101: How They Form and How They're Found

Do all diamonds come with certificate?

Not every diamond comes with a certificate, and comparable diamonds will look the same regardless of whether or not they are certified. So why bother buying a certified diamond? A diamond engagement ring is an emotionally significant purchase as well as a financial milestone.

What is the difference between a diamond and a certified diamond?

The term “certified diamonds” refers to polished diamonds that have undergone quality analysis by a trusted gemological laboratory such as the AGSL (American Gem Society Laboratories) or GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and have been issued a lab report, commonly referred to as a “certificate”.

Where can diamonds be found naturally?

Diamonds are found near the Earth's surface, primarily in South Africa, Russia, Australia, Botswana, India, Brazil, China and USA. However, there are about 35 different countries in total that produce them. These valuable minerals are transported to the Earth's surface through erupting volcanoes.

What do diamonds look like when found?

In other words, they have not been altered or tampered with after they were discovered. Raw diamonds look like transparent stones with yellowish or brownish tints. There are some that are colorless but these are rare.

What type of rock are diamonds found in?

Diamond: Diamond is an allotrope of carbon ( C ) and is the hardest substance known. A type of ultrabasic volcanic rock called kimberlite is formed deep in the crust of the earth. In these rocks, diamonds are found.

What should you do if you find a diamond?

If you ever find a diamond ring, or any lost property, don't assume that you can keep it. Always attempt to find the owner if possible, or turn the item in to the police. Most states will allow finders to keep the property if the owner does not show up to claim it after a certain time.

How do I know if the rock I found is a diamond?

Scratch the Diamond Crystal on a Corundum

In order to use corundum to test the authenticity of the diamond, hold the corundum up against the suspected diamond and see the diamond to scratch a line on the corundum by rubbing the two gems together. If your gem does scratch corundum, it's definitely diamond.

Will a magnet pick up a diamond?

A set of 168 natural diamonds, including HPHT-treated natural diamonds, was tested as a control group. None of the natural transparent diamond samples showed attraction to a neodymium magnet, but two heavily included translucent specimens with unusually large opaque inclusions were strongly magnetic.

Can a jeweler tell a lab grown diamond from a natural diamond?

Professional jewelers and gemologists cannot tell the difference between a lab created diamond and a natural one just by looking at it with the naked eye. They will have to use a microscope to look for the tiny differences in its inclusions that indicate how it was formed.

How far down in the earth do diamonds form?

Natural diamonds typically form 150–200 km below the surface of the earth. Diamond formation does not occur everywhere at these depths, but only below the oldest continents that have been stable for billions of years; these areas are known as cratons (see figure 2 in Summer 2018 Diamonds from the Deep).

Can you tell if a diamond is man made?

Lab grown diamonds are chemically the same as mined diamonds, and one of the only ways to tell the difference is for a gemologist to look under a magnifier for a laser inscription on the girdle of the diamond and determine the origin. Wilhite said Metal Mark does not sell any man-made diamonds.

How can you tell if a diamond is real with a mirror?

This involves taking the diamond and attempting to scratch a mirror. If it leaves a mark on the mirror, it's a real diamond. However, the quality of false stones like cubic zirconia and moissanite has increased, and many can pass this test due to their durability.

What type of soil are diamonds found in?

A grove of Pandanus candelabrum, which appears to grow only in diamond-bearing kimberlite soils. Diamonds are formed hundreds of kilometers below the surface, as carbon is squeezed under intense temperatures and pressures.

How many years does it take for a natural diamond to form?

Due to the immense pressure that is present in this part of the earth, as well as the extreme temperatures, a diamond gradually begins to form. The entire process takes between 1 billion and 3.3 billion years, which is approximately 25% to 75% of our earth's age.

Where is diamond most likely to be found?

Geologically speaking, natural diamonds are found in two environments. Most are found in kimberlites, which are pipe-like formations created as a result of volcanic and tectonic activity. The second geological source for diamonds is placer deposits.

Where is the best place to dig for diamonds?

Arkansas's Crater of Diamonds State Park is one of the only diamond-producing sites in the world where the public can search for diamonds in their original volcanic source. The policy here is "finders, keepers," meaning the diamonds you find are yours to keep.

Where on Earth are most diamonds found?

Russia and the Botswana hold the world's largest diamond reserves, totaling 1.1 billion carats and 300 million carats, respectively, as of 2021.

What is a good grade for a diamond?

Flawless is the top grade in the GIA Clarity Grading System. Diamonds graded Flawless don't have visible inclusions or blemishes when examined under 10-power (10X) magnification by a skilled and experienced grader. As clarity increases, and if all other value factors are equal, diamond price per carat also increases.

How can you tell a high quality diamond?

The diamond industry has established four basic criteria for judging the quality and value of precious stones, commonly known as the “Four Cs:” cut, color, clarity, and carat.

What happens if a diamond is not GIA certified?

There is a common misconception that non-certified diamonds are of lesser quality than certified diamonds. This is not the case though; they are created in exactly the same way. Many jewellers carry non-certified diamonds. They are simply stones that have not been put through formal lab grading.