Diamond Sources

The first diamonds were found in India about 4000 years ago. Most historical famous diamonds come from the East of India, such as the Koh-I-Noor or the Regent diamond. At the beginning of the 18th century diamonds were also found in Brasilia, mostly in rivers. For almost 150 years Brasilia was the main diamond producer of the world. Around 1850 the first diamonds were found in South Africa. This was the first time diamonds were found in primary sources, i.e. diamonds were found in volcanic pipes and not in rivers. Today 13 African countries produce diamonds.

Nowadays Russia is also a major diamond producer, although they started as recently as in the 1940s to mine diamonds.

But also China and India play a more and more important role in diamond mining.

Almost spectacular is the discovery of diamonds in Australia in 1986. The Argyle mine produces almost one third of the world’s diamonds.

In North America diamonds can be found, but there aren’t enough diamonds to mine them industrially. However in Arkansas is the only public mine of the world where everyone can dig for his or her own diamond!