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Origin
The most important diamond mines can be found in the following countries:
Angola, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, China, Congo, Namibia, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania.
Up until the 18th century, the only known sites for finding diamond were located in India and on the island of Borneo. Diamond hunters and gemologists from across the world came there to find diamonds. Major sites for finding diamonds have been closed off over time and are now heavily guarded to prevent exhaustion of the natural resource.
Sadly this protection came as too little too late. In a short time span the mines have been exhausted completely and people went to different places in search for diamond.
Around 1725 major diamond deposits were found in Brazil. Halfway through the 19th century diamond mines were discovered in Africa as well.
History
Most myths surrounding diamonds originate in India and reached Europe through traveling merchants. Meanwhile, all around the world there are various different myths and meanings related to the valuable precious stone.
In ancient Hinduism wearing cut diamonds as jewelry was against the law. It was said to cause bad luck.
In medieval times many Western authors believed that diamond had powerful healing properties and could be used as antidote. Then again, there were also authors who claimed even touching the stone was poisonous.
For many the words ‘blood diamond’ evoke images of precious red gemstones or extremely rare jewels. Sadly the meaning of this name is not related to the appearance or rarity of a diamond, instead the name refers to the blood that is shed in its procurement.
After the discovery of diamonds in Africa many questions were raised concerning the proper way of mining the gems. One of the main concerns were diamonds that were being sold to finance civil wars. The profits turned from selling those diamonds were used to buy weaponry and other means to slaughter people and project power.
To stop this trade and the resulting conflicts once and for all the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was established.
More information on the Kimberley Process can be found here.