Many people's first impression of diamonds is "expensive." A slight mineral, barely feeling weighty in hand, yet its price upon purchase is often staggering. Why are diamonds so expensive? The main reason lies in the difficulty of obtaining diamonds.
From formation to mining to polishing, over billions of years, these beautiful gems, born of the earth, eventually sparkle in the hands of craftsmen and reach every consumer. But the value of diamonds extends beyond this. Below, let's explore the top 5 reasons diamonds are so expensive.
1. Extremely Rare
Natural diamonds are a non-renewable resource with minimal reserves in the natural world. Natural diamond production peaked in 2005, with no significant discoveries in nearly 30 years.
The annual production of natural diamonds equivalent to 1 carat is about the size of a fitness ball. As a gift from nature, natural diamonds are not inexhaustible. As the production of natural diamonds continues to decline, their value becomes increasingly rare and precious.
2. One-of-a-Kind
Four thousand years ago, the first natural diamond was discovered in a cave in India. Natural diamonds were formed 1 to 3 billion years ago deep within the earth's crust under high temperature and pressure.
Each natural diamond is unique, like our fingerprints, just as there are no two identical leaves in nature. Diamonds' natural traces and inclusions are like tiny time capsules, telling the story of the earth's formation, which artificial diamonds cannot compare to.
3. Difficulty in Locating Natural Diamond Deposits
Natural diamonds are born about 160 kilometers below the earth's surface and are brought to the earth's surface through volcanic eruptions and other geological movements. Currently, there is no effective method for purposefully detecting diamond deposits.
The exploration cost is high, the time is long, and the chance of success is uncertain. Therefore, the exploration of diamond deposits often takes decades or even centuries of effort and labor, with substantial financial costs. However, with high-tech mining techniques, each member of the Natural Diamond Association follows their sustainable development strategy and commitment.
Natural diamond mining is moving towards automation and mechanization while reducing the environmental impact of mining. Today, through the efforts of natural diamond mining companies, local governments, and communities, the annual creation of $16 billion in social, economic, and environmental net benefits for local communities and the livelihoods of 10 million people worldwide is achieved.
4. Difficulty in Cutting and Polishing Natural Diamonds
The cutting and polishing of natural diamonds began in the 14th century, but due to technological limitations, people could only cut and polish them according to the natural grain of the diamonds.
It wasn't until the 15th century that people discovered they could use diamond powder to polish and process these uncut natural diamonds, as diamonds are the hardest mineral known to humans and can only be cut by another diamond. Each cutting of a natural diamond requires the consumption of an equally hard diamond, and this technique continues to be used today.
Processing some world-famous diamonds often takes several months for design, not to mention the cutting and polishing time. For example, the world-famous Koh-i-Noor diamond took three skilled artisans working 14 hours a day, polishing for eight months to complete.
5. Eternal Significance of Natural Diamonds
Diamonds are priceless, and so is love. To people, diamonds are the most emblematic gemstones of love.
They are indestructible, just like love chosen with determination, which remains unyielding despite adversity. The properties of diamonds are very stable and will not change due to external influences, just like the unwavering love that people pursue.
The high price of natural diamonds is not without reason. Whether in terms of significance or value, natural diamonds occupy an essential position in the modern gemstone hierarchy.
