Diamond Mines and Mining

When we are wearing our diamond jewelry we don’t often think about the way the diamonds came to be where they are. A natural diamond is taken from the earth through a process called mining. There are two ways of performing this process. One of the ways is called Alluvial Mining and the other is called Pipe Mining.

Volcanic pipes are used to pull the diamonds from the ground when the process used in pipe mining. Man did not create these pipes. These pipes are formed naturally in the earth. Next to the pipes shanks are placed while tunnels are drilled through the pipe. The large rocks that are pulled from the mine are taken to sorting areas to be screened for diamonds.

When the Alluvial process is used the mining process is done on the riverbeds and beaches. The sand that is on the beach will be moved until the right level for finding diamonds is achieved. A barrier is made to keep the water away while the mining is being performed. The same process of removing the piles of sand is made as the rocks are removed in the pipe method. The sand is brought to a screening area where the sand will be searched for diamonds.