Diamonds are formed deep below the earth’s surface – geologist have estimated that the actual distanced involved is between seventy five and one hundred and twenty miles.

Experts have also speculated when the first delivery of diamonds actually occurred. The generally accepted estimate is that this happened around two and a half billion years ago, with the most recent delivery a staggering forty five million years ago.

Diamonds are made exclusively from carbon which has been formed by the melting of rocks contained within the upper mantle of the Earth’s crust. Pure carbon is found in abundance inside the upper mantle and temperature changes within the area force the element to transcend deeper into the crust. Ultimately this causes the carbon atoms to melt and when the temperature reduces enough for the liquid to re-solidify a new rock is formed.

In some situations the liquid carbon atoms contained within the crustal rock attach themselves to each other to form the miniature crystals of diamond.

It is that not a given that the carbon which melts within the mantle will form diamond, or even that the formed diamond will ever make it anyway near the earth surface. Should the temperature increase or the pressure fall, then the fledgling diamond crystals could partially melt or dissolve totally.

Should the diamond form successfully, then the odds are that it will be around one thousand years before it takes the form of a diamond ring or diamond necklace!