Editing Diamond (section)

== Industry ==
{{See also|Diamonds as an investment|List of countries by diamond production|Clean Diamond Trade Act}}
[[File:Diamond.jpg|framed|alt=A clear faceted gem supported in four clamps attached to a wedding ring|A round [[Brilliant (diamond cut)|brilliant cut]] diamond set in a ring]]

The most familiar uses of diamonds today are as gemstones used for [[adornment]], and as industrial abrasives for cutting hard materials. The markets for gem-grade and industrial-grade diamonds value diamonds differently.

=== Gem-grade diamonds ===
{{Main|Diamond (gemstone)}}

The [[Dispersion (optics)|dispersion]] of white light into [[spectral color]]s is the primary gemological characteristic of gem diamonds. In the 20th century, experts in gemology developed methods of grading diamonds and other gemstones based on the characteristics most important to their value as a gem. Four characteristics, known informally as the ''four Cs'', are now commonly used as the basic descriptors of diamonds: these are its mass in ''[[Carat (unit)|carats]]'' (a carat being equal to 0.2{{nbsp}}grams), ''[[Diamond cut|cut]]'' (quality of the cut is graded according to [[aspect ratio|proportions]], [[symmetry]] and [[polishing|polish]]), ''[[Diamond color|color]]'' (how close to white or colorless; for fancy diamonds how intense is its hue), and ''[[Diamond clarity|clarity]]'' (how free is it from [[inclusion (mineral)|inclusions]]). A large, flawless diamond is known as a [[Paragon (diamond)|paragon]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DIWEi5Hg93gC&pg=PA42|page=42|vauthors=Hesse RW|title=Jewelrymaking through history|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=2007|isbn=978-0-313-33507-5|access-date=November 9, 2020|archive-date=November 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109173258/https://books.google.com/books?id=DIWEi5Hg93gC&pg=PA42|url-status=live}}</ref>

A large trade in gem-grade diamonds exists. Although most gem-grade diamonds are sold newly polished, there is a well-established market for resale of polished diamonds (e.g. pawnbroking, auctions, second-hand jewelry stores, diamantaires, bourses, etc.). One hallmark of the trade in gem-quality diamonds is its remarkable concentration: wholesale trade and diamond cutting is limited to just a few locations; in 2003, 92% of the world's diamonds were cut and polished in [[Surat]], [[India]].<ref>{{cite news| vauthors = Adiga A |title=Uncommon Brilliance |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,501040419-610100,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310173327/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,501040419-610100,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 10, 2007|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=April 12, 2004|access-date=November 3, 2008}}</ref> Other important centers of diamond cutting and trading are the [[Antwerp diamond district]] in [[Belgium]], where the [[International Gemological Institute]] is based, [[London]], the [[Diamond District]] in [[New York City]], the [[Diamond Exchange District]] in [[Tel Aviv]] and [[Amsterdam]]. One contributory factor is the geological nature of diamond deposits: several large primary kimberlite-pipe mines each account for significant portions of market share (such as the [[Jwaneng diamond mine|Jwaneng mine]] in Botswana, which is a single large-pit mine that can produce between {{convert|12500000|and|15000000|carat|kg}} of diamonds per year<ref>{{cite web |title=Jwaneng|url=http://www.debswana.com/Operations/Pages/Jwaneng.aspx|publisher=Debswana|access-date=March 9, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317175718/http://www.debswana.com/Operations/Pages/Jwaneng.aspx |archive-date=March 17, 2012}}</ref>). Secondary alluvial diamond deposits, on the other hand, tend to be fragmented amongst many different operators because they can be dispersed over many hundreds of square kilometers (e.g., alluvial deposits in Brazil).{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}

The production and distribution of diamonds is largely consolidated in the hands of a few key players, and concentrated in traditional diamond trading centers, the most important being Antwerp, where 80% of all [[rough diamond]]s, 50% of all cut diamonds and more than 50% of all rough, cut and industrial diamonds combined are handled.<ref name=India>{{cite book|vauthors=Tichotsky J|title=Russia's Diamond Colony: The Republic of Sakha|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F7N4G_wxkUYC|page=254|publisher=[[Routledge]]|year=2000|isbn=978-90-5702-420-7|access-date=November 9, 2020|archive-date=November 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109173259/https://books.google.com/books?id=F7N4G_wxkUYC|url-status=live}}</ref> This makes Antwerp a de facto "world diamond capital".<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,416243,00.html | title = Jews Surrender Gem Trade to Indians | work = [[Spiegel Online]] | date = May 15, 2006 | access-date = November 29, 2010 | archive-date = November 26, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101126213945/http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,416243,00.html | url-status = live }}</ref> The city of Antwerp also hosts the [[Antwerpsche Diamantkring]], created in 1929 to become the first and biggest diamond bourse dedicated to rough diamonds.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.awdc.be/en/20th-century |title=The history of the Antwerp Diamond Center |website=Antwerp World Diamond Center |date=August 16, 2012 |access-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-date=February 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222071114/https://www.awdc.be/en/20th-century |url-status=live }}</ref> Another important diamond center is New York City, where almost 80% of the world's diamonds are sold, including auction sales.<ref name="India" />

The [[De Beers]] company, as the world's largest diamond mining company, holds a dominant position in the industry, and has done so since soon after its founding in 1888 by the British businessman [[Cecil Rhodes]]. De Beers is currently the world's largest operator of diamond production facilities (mines) and [[Distribution (business)|distribution channels]] for gem-quality diamonds. The Diamond Trading Company (DTC) is a subsidiary of De Beers and markets rough diamonds from De Beers-operated mines. De Beers and its subsidiaries own mines that produce some 40% of annual world diamond production. For most of the 20th century over 80% of the world's rough diamonds passed through De Beers,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32003D0079:EN:HTML|title=Commission Decision of 25 July 2001 declaring a concentration to be compatible with the common market and the EEA Agreement|work=Case No COMP/M.2333 – De Beers/LVMH|publisher=[[EUR-Lex]]|year=2003|access-date=February 6, 2009|archive-date=May 12, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512174536/http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32003D0079:EN:HTML|url-status=live}}</ref> but by 2001–2009 the figure had decreased to around 45%,<ref>{{cite news |title=Business: Changing facets; Diamonds |url=http://www.economist.com/node/8743058 |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |volume=382 |issue=8517 |page=68 |year=2007 |access-date=December 22, 2010 |archive-date=May 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512061729/http://www.economist.com/node/8743058 |url-status=live }}</ref> and by 2013 the company's market share had further decreased to around 38% in value terms and even less by volume.<ref name="idexonline">{{cite web|url=http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp?id=38357|title=Certainty in the Diamond Industry? Watch Out For Tipping Points – IDEX's Memo|publisher=idexonline.com|access-date=September 24, 2014|archive-date=January 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109023521/http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp?id=38357|url-status=dead}}</ref> De Beers sold off the vast majority of its diamond stockpile in the late 1990s – early 2000s<ref>{{cite web|title=The Elusive Sparcle |url=http://www.gjepc.org/solitaire/magazines/Aug05_Sep05/aug05_sep05.aspx?inclpage=Specials&section_id=3 |publisher=The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council |access-date=April 26, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616043101/http://www.gjepc.org/solitaire/magazines/Aug05_Sep05/aug05_sep05.aspx?inclpage=Specials&section_id=3 |archive-date=June 16, 2009 }}</ref> and the remainder largely represents working stock (diamonds that are being sorted before sale).<ref>{{cite news| vauthors = Even-Zohar C |title=Crisis Mitigation at De Beers|url=http://www.docstoc.com/docs/19770902/Crisis-Mitigation-at-De-Beers|publisher=DIB online|date=November 6, 2008|access-date=April 26, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512061727/http://www.docstoc.com/docs/19770902/Crisis-Mitigation-at-De-Beers|archive-date=May 12, 2011}}</ref> This was well documented in the press<ref>{{cite web| vauthors = Even-Zohar C |title=De Beers to Halve Diamond Stockpile |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/apparel-accessory-stores-womens-specialty/4224156-1.html |publisher=[[Jewelers of America#National Jeweler|National Jeweler]] |date=November 3, 1999 |access-date=April 26, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705101028/http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/apparel-accessory-stores-womens-specialty/4224156-1.html |archive-date=July 5, 2009 }}</ref> but remains little known to the general public.

As a part of reducing its influence, De Beers withdrew from purchasing diamonds on the open market in 1999 and ceased, at the end of 2008, purchasing Russian diamonds mined by the largest Russian diamond company [[Alrosa]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Judgment of the Court of First Instance of 11 July 2007 – Alrosa v Commission|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:C2007/199/70|publisher=EUR-Lex|year=2007|access-date=April 26, 2009|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043518/http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:C2007/199/70|url-status=live}}</ref> As of January 2011, De Beers states that it only sells diamonds from the following four countries: Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Canada.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.debeersgroup.com/en/Exploration-and-mining/Mining-operations/ |title=Mining operations |publisher=The De Beers Group |year=2007 |access-date=January 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080613143223/http://www.debeersgroup.com/en/Exploration-and-mining/Mining-operations/ |archive-date=June 13, 2008 }}</ref> Alrosa had to suspend their sales in October 2008 due to the [[2000s energy crisis|global energy crisis]],{{cn|date=February 2023}} but the company reported that it had resumed selling rough diamonds on the open market by October 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eng.alrosa.ru/press_center/releases/2009/10/ |title=Media releases – Media Centre – Alrosa |publisher=Alrosa |date=December 22, 2009 |access-date=January 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820212115/http://www.eng.alrosa.ru/press_center/releases/2009/10/ |archive-date=August 20, 2013 }}</ref> Apart from Alrosa, other important diamond mining companies include [[BHP]], which is the world's largest mining company;<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/08/22/2012367.htm|title = Another record profit for BHP|publisher = ABC News|date = August 22, 2007|access-date = August 23, 2007|archive-date = May 12, 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110512061741/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/08/22/2012367.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref> [[Rio Tinto (corporation)|Rio Tinto]], the owner of the [[Argyle diamond mine|Argyle]] (100%), [[Diavik Diamond Mine|Diavik]] (60%), and [[Murowa diamond mine|Murowa]] (78%) diamond mines;<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Companies|work=Rio Tinto web site|publisher=Rio Tinto|url=http://www.riotinto.com/whatweproduce/218_our_companies.asp|access-date=March 5, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511045232/http://www.riotinto.com/whatweproduce/218_our_companies.asp|archive-date=May 11, 2013}}</ref> and [[Petra Diamonds]], the owner of several major diamond mines in Africa.

[[File:Diamond Polisher.jpg|thumb|right|Diamond polisher in Amsterdam]]

Further down the supply chain, members of The [[World Federation of Diamond Bourses]] (WFDB) act as a medium for wholesale diamond exchange, trading both polished and rough diamonds. The WFDB consists of independent diamond bourses in major cutting centers such as Tel Aviv, Antwerp, Johannesburg and other cities across the US, Europe and Asia.<ref name=harlow/> In 2000, the WFDB and The International Diamond Manufacturers Association established the [[World Diamond Council]] to prevent the trading of diamonds used to fund war and inhumane acts. WFDB's additional activities include sponsoring the [[World Diamond Congress]] every two years, as well as the establishment of the [[International Diamond Council]] (IDC) to oversee diamond grading.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Introduction {{!}} IDC |url=https://internationaldiamondcouncil.org/introduction |access-date=October 18, 2022 |website=internationaldiamondcouncil.org |language=en |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018144626/https://internationaldiamondcouncil.org/introduction |url-status=live }}</ref>

Once purchased by Sightholders (which is a trademark term referring to the companies that have a three-year supply contract with DTC), diamonds are cut and polished in preparation for sale as gemstones ('industrial' stones are regarded as a by-product of the gemstone market; they are used for abrasives).<ref name=polish>{{cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=fkBJ0HL34WsC&pg=PA297 | pages = 297–299 | title = Africa's silk road | vauthors = Broadman HG, Isik G | publisher = World Bank Publications | year = 2007 | isbn = 978-0-8213-6835-0 | access-date = November 9, 2020 | archive-date = November 9, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231109173401/https://books.google.com/books?id=fkBJ0HL34WsC&pg=PA297#v=onepage&q&f=false | url-status = live }}</ref> The cutting and polishing of rough diamonds is a specialized skill that is concentrated in a limited number of locations worldwide.<ref name=polish/> Traditional diamond cutting centers are Antwerp, [[Amsterdam]], Johannesburg, New York City, and Tel Aviv. Recently, diamond cutting centers have been established in China, India, [[Thailand]], Namibia and Botswana.<ref name=polish/> Cutting centers with lower cost of labor, notably Surat in [[Gujarat|Gujarat, India]], handle a larger number of smaller carat diamonds, while smaller quantities of larger or more valuable diamonds are more likely to be handled in Europe or North America. The recent expansion of this industry in India, employing low cost labor, has allowed smaller diamonds to be prepared as gems in greater quantities than was previously economically feasible.<ref name="India" />

Diamonds prepared as gemstones are sold on diamond exchanges called ''[[Exchange (organized market)|bourses]]''. There are 28 registered diamond bourses in the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bourse listing|url=http://www.wfdb.com/wfdb-bourses|publisher=World Federation of Diamond Bourses|access-date=February 12, 2012|archive-date=October 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025031428/http://wfdb.com/wfdb-bourses|url-status=dead}}</ref> Bourses are the final tightly controlled step in the diamond supply chain; wholesalers and even retailers are able to buy relatively small lots of diamonds at the bourses, after which they are prepared for final sale to the consumer. Diamonds can be sold already set in jewelry, or sold unset ("loose"). According to the Rio Tinto, in 2002 the diamonds produced and released to the market were valued at US$9&nbsp;billion as rough diamonds, US$14&nbsp;billion after being cut and polished, US$28&nbsp;billion in wholesale diamond jewelry, and US$57&nbsp;billion in retail sales.<ref>{{cite web|title=North America Diamond Sales Show No Sign of Slowing |url=http://www.awdiamonds.com/article-8.html|publisher=A&W diamonds|access-date=May 5, 2009 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106185423/http://www.awdiamonds.com/article-8.html|archive-date=January 6, 2009}}</ref>

==== Cutting ====
{{Main|Diamond cutting|Diamond cut}}
[[File:The Daria-e Noor (Sea of Light) Diamond from the collection of the national jewels of Iran at Central Bank of Islamic Republic of Iran.jpg|thumb|right|alt=A large rectangular pink multifaceted gemstone, set in a decorative surround. The decoration includes a row of small clear faceted gemstones around the main gem's perimeter, and clusters of gems forming a crest on one side. The crest comprises a three-pointed crown faced by two unidentifiable animals.|The [[Daria-i-Noor]] Diamond—an example of unusual diamond cut and jewelry arrangement.]]

Mined rough diamonds are converted into gems through a multi-step process called "cutting". Diamonds are extremely hard, but also brittle and can be split up by a single blow. Therefore, diamond cutting is traditionally considered as a delicate procedure requiring skills, scientific knowledge, tools and experience. Its final goal is to produce a faceted jewel where the specific angles between the facets would optimize the diamond luster, that is dispersion of white light, whereas the number and area of facets would determine the weight of the final product. The weight reduction upon cutting is significant and can be of the order of 50%.<ref name=x50>{{cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=jPT6JADCqgwC&pg=PA280 | page = 280 | title = Handbook of carbon, graphite, diamond, and fullerenes: properties, processing, and applications | vauthors = Pierson HO | publisher = William Andrew | year = 1993 | isbn = 978-0-8155-1339-1 }}</ref> Several possible shapes are considered, but the final decision is often determined not only by scientific, but also practical considerations. For example, the diamond might be intended for display or for wear, in a ring or a necklace, singled or surrounded by other gems of certain color and shape.<ref name=antique>{{cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Y84qRt6nz-8C&pg=PA88 | pages = 82–102 | title = Antique jewellery: its manufacture, materials and design | vauthors = James DS | publisher = Osprey Publishing | year = 1998 | isbn = 978-0-7478-0385-0 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Some of them may be considered as classical, such as [[Diamond cut|round]], [[Pear Cut Diamond|pear]], [[Marquise Cut Diamond|marquise]], [[Oval Cut Diamond|oval]], [[hearts and arrows]] diamonds, etc. Some of them are special, produced by certain companies, for example, [[Phoenix Cut Diamond|Phoenix]], [[Cushion Cut Diamond|Cushion]], [[Sole Mio Cut Diamond|Sole Mio]] diamonds, etc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kristallsmolensk.com/backstage/benchmarks/shapes/|title=The Classical and Special Shapes of Diamonds|publisher=kristallsmolensk.com|access-date=July 14, 2015|archive-date=July 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714175156/http://www.kristallsmolensk.com/backstage/benchmarks/shapes/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The most time-consuming part of the cutting is the preliminary analysis of the rough stone. It needs to address a large number of issues, bears much responsibility, and therefore can last years in case of unique diamonds. The following issues are considered:
* The hardness of diamond and its ability to cleave strongly depend on the crystal orientation. Therefore, the crystallographic structure of the diamond to be cut is analyzed using [[X-ray diffraction]] to choose the optimal cutting directions.
* Most diamonds contain visible non-diamond inclusions and crystal flaws. The cutter has to decide which flaws are to be removed by the cutting and which could be kept.
* Splitting a diamond with a hammer is difficult, a well-calculated, angled blow can cut the diamond, piece-by-piece, but it can also ruin the diamond itself. Alternatively, it can be cut with a [[diamond saw]], which is a more reliable method.<ref name=antique/><ref>{{cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=X3qe9jzYUAQC&pg=PA984 | pages = 984–992 | title = Handbook of industrial diamonds and diamond films | vauthors = Prelas MA, Popovici G, Bigelow LK | publisher = CRC Press | year = 1998 | isbn = 978-0-8247-9994-6 | access-date = November 9, 2020 | archive-date = November 9, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231109173351/https://books.google.com/books?id=X3qe9jzYUAQC&pg=PA984#v=onepage&q&f=false | url-status = live }}</ref>

After initial cutting, the diamond is shaped in numerous stages of polishing. Unlike cutting, which is a responsible but quick operation, polishing removes material by gradual erosion and is extremely time-consuming. The associated technique is well developed; it is considered as a routine and can be performed by technicians.<ref>{{cite journal | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=i9kDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA760 | pages = 760–764 | title = Gem Cutting | journal = [[Popular Mechanics]] | year = 1940 | volume = 74 | issue = 5 | issn = 0032-4558 | access-date = November 9, 2020 | archive-date = November 9, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231109173258/https://books.google.com/books?id=i9kDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA760#v=onepage&q&f=false | url-status = live }}</ref> After polishing, the diamond is reexamined for possible flaws, either remaining or induced by the process. Those flaws are concealed through various [[diamond enhancement]] techniques, such as repolishing, crack filling, or clever arrangement of the stone in the jewelry. Remaining non-diamond inclusions are removed through laser drilling and filling of the voids produced.<ref name=read>{{cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=t-OQO3Wk-JsC&pg=PA166 | pages = 165–166 | title = Gemmology | vauthors = Read PG | publisher = Butterworth-Heinemann | year = 2005 | isbn = 978-0-7506-6449-3 | access-date = November 9, 2020 | archive-date = November 9, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231109173801/https://books.google.com/books?id=t-OQO3Wk-JsC&pg=PA166#v=onepage&q&f=false | url-status = live }}</ref>

==== Marketing ====
[[File:Diamond Balance Scale 0.01 - 25 Carats Jewelers Measuring Tool.jpg|thumb|Diamond balance scale 0.01–25 carat jeweler's measuring tool]]

Marketing has significantly affected the image of diamond as a valuable commodity.

[[N. W. Ayer & Son]], the advertising firm retained by [[De Beers]] in the mid-20th century, succeeded in reviving the American diamond market and the firm created new markets in countries where no diamond tradition had existed before. N. W. Ayer's marketing included [[product placement]], advertising focused on the diamond product itself rather than the De Beers brand, and associations with celebrities and royalty. Without advertising the De Beers brand, De Beers was advertising its competitors' diamond products as well,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=33243 | title = Keep the Diamond Dream Alive | vauthors = Rapaport M | work = Rapaport Magazine | publisher = Diamonds.net | access-date = September 9, 2012 | archive-date = September 13, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120913214013/http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=33243 | url-status = live }}</ref> but this was not a concern as De Beers dominated the diamond market throughout the 20th century. De Beers' market share dipped temporarily to second place in the global market below Alrosa in the aftermath of the global economic crisis of 2008, down to less than 29% in terms of carats mined, rather than sold.<ref name="jckonline.com">{{cite web |author=JCK Staff |url=http://www.jckonline.com/2011/01/26/10-things-rocking-industry |title=10 Things Rocking the Industry |work=JCK |publisher=Jckonline.com |date=January 26, 2011 |access-date=September 9, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130107102249/http://www.jckonline.com/2011/01/26/10-things-rocking-industry |archive-date=January 7, 2013 }}</ref> The campaign lasted for decades but was effectively discontinued by early 2011. De Beers still advertises diamonds, but the advertising now mostly promotes its own brands, or licensed product lines, rather than completely "generic" diamond products.<ref name="jckonline.com"/> The campaign was perhaps best captured by the slogan "[[a diamond is forever]]".<ref name=sell /> This slogan is now being used by De Beers Diamond Jewelers,<ref>{{cite web | vauthors = Bates R |url=http://www.jckonline.com/blogs/cutting-remarks/2011/01/14/interview-forevermark-ceo |title=Interview with Forevermark CEO |work=JCK |publisher=Jckonline.com |date=January 14, 2011 |access-date=September 9, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128004942/http://www.jckonline.com/blogs/cutting-remarks/2011/01/14/interview-forevermark-ceo |archive-date=November 28, 2012 }}</ref> a jewelry firm which is a 50/50% joint venture between the De Beers mining company and [[LVMH]], the luxury goods conglomerate.

Brown-colored diamonds constituted a significant part of the diamond production, and were predominantly used for industrial purposes. They were seen as worthless for jewelry (not even being assessed on the [[diamond color]] scale). After the development of Argyle diamond mine in Australia in 1986, and marketing, brown diamonds have become acceptable gems.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_WI86J88ydAC&pg=PA34|page=34|title=The nature of diamonds| vauthors = Harlow GE |publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1998|isbn=978-0-521-62935-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zNicdkuulE4C&pg=PA416 |page=416|title=Industrial minerals & rocks| vauthors = Kogel JE |publisher= Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (U.S.)|year=2006|isbn=978-0-87335-233-8}}</ref> The change was mostly due to the numbers: the Argyle mine, with its {{convert|35000000|carat|kg}} of diamonds per year, makes about one-third of global production of natural diamonds;<ref>{{cite web|access-date=August 4, 2009 |url=http://www.costellos.com.au/diamonds/industry.html |title=The Australian Diamond Industry |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090716170624/http://www.costellos.com.au/diamonds/industry.html |archive-date=July 16, 2009 }}</ref> 80% of Argyle diamonds are brown.<ref>{{cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=068-M3xrDSQC&pg=PT158 | page = 158 | title = Diamond deposits: origin, exploration, and history of discovery | vauthors = Erlich E, Hausel DW | publisher = SME | year = 2002 | isbn = 978-0-87335-213-0 }}</ref>

=== Industrial-grade diamonds ===
[[File:Dia scalpel.jpg|thumb|alt=A diamond scalpel consisting of a yellow diamond blade attached to a pen-shaped holder|A [[scalpel]] with synthetic diamond blade]]
[[File:Diamond blade very macro.jpg|thumb|alt=A polished metal blade embedded with small diamonds|Close-up photograph of an [[angle grinder]] blade with tiny diamonds shown embedded in the metal]]
[[File:Diamond Knife Blade Edge.jpg|thumb|A diamond knife blade used for cutting ultrathin sections (typically 70 to 350&nbsp;nm) for transmission [[electron microscopy]]]]

Industrial diamonds are valued mostly for their hardness and thermal conductivity, making many of the gemological characteristics of diamonds, such as the [[4 Cs]], irrelevant for most applications. Eighty percent of mined diamonds (equal to about {{convert|135000000|carat|kg}} annually) are unsuitable for use as gemstones and are used industrially.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.minerals.net/mineral/diamond.aspx|title=Diamond: The mineral Diamond information and pictures|publisher=minerals.net|access-date=September 24, 2014|archive-date=October 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023195127/http://www.minerals.net/mineral/diamond.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to mined diamonds, synthetic diamonds found industrial applications almost immediately after their invention in the 1950s; in 2014, {{convert|4500000000|carat|kg}} of synthetic diamonds were produced, 90% of which were produced in China. Approximately 90% of diamond [[Grinding (abrasive cutting)|grinding grit]] is currently of synthetic origin.<ref name=usgs>{{cite web|title=Industrial Diamonds Statistics and Information|url=http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/diamond/|work=[[United States Geological Survey]]|access-date=May 5, 2009|archive-date=May 6, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090506221551/http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/diamond/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The boundary between gem-quality diamonds and industrial diamonds is poorly defined and partly depends on market conditions (for example, if demand for polished diamonds is high, some lower-grade stones will be polished into low-quality or small gemstones rather than being sold for industrial use). Within the category of industrial diamonds, there is a sub-category comprising the lowest-quality, mostly opaque stones, which are known as [[bort]].<ref name=spear>{{cite book| vauthors = Spear KE, Dismukes JP |title=Synthetic Diamond: Emerging CVD Science and Technology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RR5HF25DB7UC|page=628|publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons|Wiley]]–[[IEEE]]|year=1994|isbn=978-0-471-53589-8}}</ref>

Industrial use of diamonds has historically been associated with their hardness, which makes diamond the ideal material for cutting and grinding tools. As the hardest known naturally occurring material, diamond can be used to polish, cut, or wear away any material, including other diamonds. Common industrial applications of this property include diamond-tipped [[drill bit]]s and saws, and the use of diamond powder as an [[abrasive]]. Less expensive industrial-grade diamonds (bort) with more flaws and poorer color than gems, are used for such purposes.<ref>{{cite book| vauthors = Holtzapffel C |title=Turning And Mechanical Manipulation |url= https://archive.org/details/turningandmecha01holtgoog|publisher=Holtzapffel & Co |pages= [https://archive.org/details/turningandmecha01holtgoog/page/n192 176–178]|year=1856|isbn=978-1-879335-39-4}}</ref> Diamond is not suitable for machining [[ferrous]] [[alloy]]s at high speeds, as carbon is soluble in iron at the high temperatures created by high-speed machining, leading to greatly increased wear on diamond tools compared to alternatives.<ref>{{cite journal| vauthors = Coelho RT, Yamada S, Aspinwall DK, Wise ML |title=The application of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tool materials when drilling and reaming aluminum-based alloys including MMC|journal=International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture|volume=35|issue=5|pages=761–774|year=1995|doi=10.1016/0890-6955(95)93044-7}}</ref>

Specialized applications include use in laboratories as containment for [[Pressure experiment|high-pressure experiments]] (see [[diamond anvil cell]]), high-performance [[bearing (mechanical)|bearings]], and limited use in specialized [[window]]s.<ref name=spear/> With the continuing advances being made in the production of synthetic diamonds, future applications are becoming feasible. The high [[thermal conductivity]] of diamond makes it suitable as a [[heat sink]] for integrated circuits in [[electronics]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Sakamoto M, Endriz JG, Scifres DR |title=120&nbsp;W CW output power from monolithic AlGaAs (800&nbsp;nm) laser diode array mounted on diamond heatsink|journal=[[Electronics Letters]] |volume=28 |issue=2 |pages=197–199 |year=1992 |doi=10.1049/el:19920123 |bibcode=1992ElL....28..197S}}</ref>

=== Mining ===
{{See also|List of diamond mines|Exploration diamond drilling}}

Approximately {{convert|130000000|carat|kg}} of diamonds are mined annually, with a total value of nearly US$9&nbsp;billion, and about {{convert|100000|kg|abbr=on}} are synthesized annually.<ref name=yarnell>{{cite journal|vauthors=Yarnell A|title=The Many Facets of Man-Made Diamonds|url=http://pubs.acs.org/cen/coverstory/8205/8205diamonds.html|journal=[[Chemical and Engineering News]]|volume=82|issue=5|pages=26–31|year=2004|doi=10.1021/cen-v082n005.p026|access-date=October 3, 2006|archive-date=October 28, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028181945/http://pubs.acs.org/cen/coverstory/8205//8205diamonds.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Roughly 49% of diamonds originate from [[Central Africa|Central]] and [[Southern Africa]], although significant sources of the mineral have been discovered in [[Canada]], [[India]], [[Russia]], [[Brazil]], and [[Australia]].<ref name=usgs/> They are mined from kimberlite and lamproite volcanic pipes, which can bring diamond crystals, originating from deep within the Earth where high pressures and temperatures enable them to form, to the surface. The mining and distribution of natural diamonds are subjects of frequent controversy such as concerns over the sale of ''[[blood diamond]]s'' or ''conflict diamonds'' by African [[paramilitary]] groups.<ref name=conflict>{{cite web|title=Conflict Diamonds |url=https://www.un.org/peace/africa/Diamond.html |publisher=United Nations |date=March 21, 2001 |access-date=May 5, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100309083348/http://www.un.org/peace/africa/Diamond.html |archive-date=March 9, 2010 }}</ref> The diamond supply chain is controlled by a limited number of powerful businesses, and is also highly concentrated in a small number of locations around the world.

Only a very small fraction of the diamond ore consists of actual diamonds. The ore is crushed, during which care is required not to destroy larger diamonds, and then sorted by density. Today, diamonds are located in the diamond-rich density fraction with the help of [[X-ray fluorescence]], after which the final sorting steps are done by hand. Before the use of [[X-ray]]s became commonplace,<ref name=x50/> the separation was done with grease belts; diamonds have a stronger tendency to stick to grease than the other minerals in the ore.<ref name=harlow>{{cite book| vauthors = Harlow GE |title=The nature of diamonds|pages=223, 230–249|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_WI86J88ydAC&pg=PA223|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|year=1998|isbn=978-0-521-62935-5}}</ref>

[[File:Udachnaya pipe.JPG|thumb|[[Siberia]]'s Udachnaya diamond mine]]
[[File:Diamond 4.jpg|thumb|The slightly misshapen octahedral shape of this rough diamond crystal in matrix is typical of the mineral. Its lustrous faces also indicate that this crystal is from a primary deposit|alt=A clear octahedral stone protrudes from a black rock]]

Historically, diamonds were found only in [[alluvial deposit]]s in [[Guntur district|Guntur]] and [[Krishna district]] of the [[Krishna River]] delta in [[Southern India]].<ref>{{cite book| vauthors = Catelle WR |title=The Diamond|publisher=John Lane Co.|year=1911|page=159}}</ref> India led the world in diamond production from the time of their discovery in approximately the 9th century BC<ref name=hershey/><ref>{{cite book| vauthors = Ball V |chapter=1|title=Diamonds, Gold and Coal of India|url=https://archive.org/details/diamondscoalgold00ballrich |page=[https://archive.org/details/diamondscoalgold00ballrich/page/n12 1]|publisher=Trübner & Co|location=London|year=1881}} Ball was a geologist in British service.</ref> to the mid-18th century AD, but the commercial potential of these sources had been exhausted by the late 18th century and at that time India was eclipsed by Brazil where the first non-Indian diamonds were found in 1725.<ref name=hershey/> Currently, one of the most prominent Indian mines is located at [[Panna District|Panna]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.9newz.com/mail-today-biggest-diamond-found-in-panna|title=Biggest diamond found in Panna|date=July 1, 2010|publisher=Mail Today|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707071636/http://www.9newz.com/mail-today-biggest-diamond-found-in-panna|archive-date=July 7, 2011}}</ref>

Diamond extraction from primary deposits (kimberlites and lamproites) started in the 1870s after the discovery of the [[Diamond Fields]] in South Africa.<ref>{{cite book | title = Encyclopedia of African history | vauthors = Shillington K | page = 767 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Ftz_gtO-pngC&pg=PA767 | publisher = CRC Press | isbn = 978-1-57958-453-5 | year = 2005 | access-date = November 9, 2020 | archive-date = November 9, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231109173804/https://books.google.com/books?id=Ftz_gtO-pngC&pg=PA767#v=onepage&q&f=false | url-status = live }}</ref> Production has increased over time and now an accumulated total of {{convert|4500000000|carat|kg}} have been mined since that date.<ref name=giasummer2007>{{cite journal| vauthors = Janse AJ |title=Global Rough Diamond Production Since 1870|journal=Gems & Gemology|volume=43|pages=98–119|year=2007|doi=10.5741/GEMS.43.2.98|issue=2|bibcode=2007GemG...43...98J }}</ref> Twenty percent of that amount has been mined in the last five years, and during the last 10 years, nine new mines have started production; four more are waiting to be opened soon. Most of these mines are located in Canada, Zimbabwe, Angola, and one in Russia.<ref name=giasummer2007/>

In the U.S., diamonds have been found in [[Arkansas]], [[Colorado]], [[New Mexico]], Wyoming, and [[Montana]].<ref name=DGemGLorenz>{{cite journal | vauthors = Lorenz V |title=Argyle in Western Australia: The world's richest diamantiferous pipe; its past and future |journal=Gemmologie, Zeitschrift der Deutschen Gemmologischen Gesellschaft |volume=56 |issue=1–2 |pages=35–40 |year=2007}}</ref><ref name=Montana>{{cite web |title=Microscopic diamond found in Montana |url=http://www.montanastandard.com/articles/2004/10/18/featuresbusiness/hjjfijicjbhdjc.txt | vauthors = Cooke S |work=[[The Montana Standard]] |date=October 17, 2004 |access-date=May 5, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050121085707/http://www.montanastandard.com/articles/2004/10/18/featuresbusiness/hjjfijicjbhdjc.txt |archive-date=January 21, 2005}}</ref> In 2004, the discovery of a microscopic diamond in the U.S. led to the January 2008 bulk-sampling of [[kimberlite pipe]]s in a remote part of Montana. The [[Crater of Diamonds State Park]] in [[Arkansas]] is open to the public, and is the only mine in the world where members of the public can dig for diamonds.<ref name=Montana/>

Today, most commercially viable diamond deposits are in Russia (mostly in [[Sakha Republic]], for example [[Mir Mine|Mir pipe]] and [[Udachnaya pipe]]), [[Botswana]], Australia ([[Northern Australia|Northern]] and [[Western Australia]]) and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]].<ref>{{cite web| vauthors = Marshall S, Shore J |title=The Diamond Life|url=http://gnn.tv/videos/2/The_Diamond_Life|publisher=[[Guerrilla News Network]]|year=2004|access-date=March 21, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070126235556/http://gnn.tv/videos/2/The_Diamond_Life|archive-date=January 26, 2007}}</ref> In 2005, Russia produced almost one-fifth of the global diamond output, according to the [[British Geological Survey]]. Australia boasts the richest diamantiferous pipe, with production from the Argyle diamond mine reaching peak levels of 42{{nbsp}}metric tons per year in the 1990s.<ref name=DGemGLorenz/><ref>{{cite journal| vauthors = Shigley JE, Chapman J, Ellison RK |year=2001|title=Discovery and Mining of the Argyle Diamond Deposit, Australia|journal=Gems & Gemology |volume=37|issue=1|pages=26–41 |url=http://www.argylediamonds.com.au/docs/gems_and_gemology.pdf|access-date=February 20, 2010|doi=10.5741/GEMS.37.1.26|bibcode=2001GemG...37...26S |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930095856/http://www.argylediamonds.com.au/docs/gems_and_gemology.pdf|archive-date=September 30, 2009}}</ref> There are also commercial deposits being actively mined in the [[Northwest Territories]] of Canada and Brazil.<ref name=usgs/> Diamond prospectors continue to search the globe for diamond-bearing kimberlite and lamproite pipes.

==== Political issues ====
{{Main|Kimberley Process|Blood diamond|Child labour in the diamond industry}}
{{wikibooks|Development Cooperation Handbook|Stories/Unsustainable Growth|Unsustainable Growth}}
[[File:Unsustainable Growth.webm|thumb|Unsustainable diamond mining in Sierra Leone. Documentary as part of the Vrinda Project for Wikibooks]]

In some of the more politically unstable central African and west African countries, revolutionary groups have taken control of [[List of diamond mines|diamond mines]], using proceeds from diamond sales to finance their operations. Diamonds sold through this process are known as ''conflict diamonds'' or ''blood diamonds''.<ref name=conflict/>

In response to public concerns that their diamond purchases were contributing to war and [[human rights abuses]] in [[central Africa|central]] and [[West Africa|western]] Africa, the [[United Nations]], the diamond industry and diamond-trading nations introduced the [[Kimberley Process]] in 2002.<ref name=kimb>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hWrEcl2ydzEC&pg=PA305|pages=305–313|title=Resource politics in Sub-Saharan Africa|vauthors=Basedau M, Mehler A|year=2005|publisher=GIGA-Hamburg|isbn=978-3-928049-91-7|access-date=November 9, 2020|archive-date=November 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109173806/https://books.google.com/books?id=hWrEcl2ydzEC&pg=PA305#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> The Kimberley Process aims to ensure that conflict diamonds do not become intermixed with the diamonds not controlled by such rebel groups. This is done by requiring diamond-producing countries to provide proof that the money they make from selling the diamonds is not used to fund criminal or revolutionary activities. Although the Kimberley Process has been moderately successful in limiting the number of conflict diamonds entering the market, some still find their way in. According to the International Diamond Manufacturers Association, conflict diamonds constitute 2–3% of all diamonds traded.<ref>{{cite book|title=World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and International Diamond Manufacturers Association: Joint Resolution of 19 July 2000|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fnRnyS7I9cYC&pg=PA334|publisher=World Diamond Council|date=July 19, 2000|access-date=November 5, 2006|isbn=978-90-04-13656-4|archive-date=November 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109173808/https://books.google.com/books?id=fnRnyS7I9cYC&pg=PA334#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Two major flaws still hinder the effectiveness of the Kimberley Process: (1) the relative ease of smuggling diamonds across African borders, and (2) the violent nature of diamond mining in nations that are not in a technical state of war and whose diamonds are therefore considered "clean".<ref name=kimb/>

The Canadian Government has set up a body known as the Canadian Diamond Code of Conduct<ref>{{cite web |title=Voluntary Code of Conduct For Authenticating Canadian Diamond Claims |url=http://www.canadiandiamondcodeofconduct.ca/images/EN_CDCC_Committee_Procedures.pdf |publisher=Canadian Diamond Code Committee|year=2006|access-date=October 30, 2007|archive-date=February 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229233018/http://www.canadiandiamondcodeofconduct.ca/images/EN_CDCC_Committee_Procedures.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> to help authenticate Canadian diamonds. This is a stringent tracking system of diamonds and helps protect the "conflict free" label of Canadian diamonds.<ref>{{cite journal| vauthors = Kjarsgaard BA, Levinson AA |title=Diamonds in Canada|journal=Gems and Gemology|volume=38|issue=3|pages=208–238|year=2002|doi=10.5741/GEMS.38.3.208|doi-access=free|bibcode=2002GemG...38..208K }}</ref>

Mineral resource exploitation in general causes irreversible environmental damage, which must be weighed against the socio-economic benefits to a country.<ref>A meta-analysis of the environmental impact specific to diamond mining is in {{Cite report | vauthors = Oluleye G | title = Environmental Impacts of Mined Diamonds |publisher=Imperial College London Consultants |url=https://www.imperial-consultants.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Final-report-Environmental-Impacts-of-Mined-Diamonds-updated-8-21.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203093203/https://www.imperial-consultants.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Final-report-Environmental-Impacts-of-Mined-Diamonds-updated-8-21.pdf |archive-date=December 3, 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=July 1, 2022}} <!-- NOTE ON DATE: They don't put a date on the case study's page. The page copyright is 2019, but the upload is dated 2021/02, and the report itself cites a 2020 study. Case study url: https://www.imperial-consultants.co.uk/casestudies/meta-study-environmental-impact-of-diamond-mining/ --> <!-- OLD VERSION: https://www.imperial-consultants.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Final-report-Environmental-Impacts-of-Mined-Diamonds.pdf --></ref>