Engagement rings have been gracing the fingers of women for years. Whether it is, a white gold solitaire engagement ring with a princess cut diamond, or a platinum three stone setting engagement ring with round diamonds, customers seem to know exactly what they are looking for. However as they glance down at their engagement ring or diamond wedding band sitting proudly on their finger, special attention must be given to the fact that these sparkly little gems are in themselves, an incredible natural feat.

Diamonds are made of compressed carbon; they are formed between 120 and 200 kilometres below the earth’s surface, in the molten rock of the earth’s mantle. This is a perfect atmosphere for diamond formation; it provides the right amount of pressure, and the required 900 to 1300 degrees Celsius temperature, that is necessary to transform carbon atoms into diamonds. This is a long way to travel for diamonds to reach the surface, making the whole idea of wearing an engagement ring even that much more magical.

Diamonds reach the earth’s surface through a series of kimberlite pipes. These pipes are created when volcanic eruptions occur deep within the earth. After the volcano erupts, magma travels through deep cracks in the earth, creating the pipes, and carrying along with it different types of rocks where diamonds are found! The magma will eventually cool, leaving veins of kimberlite rock that contain diamonds. Kimberlite is a bluish rock that miners seek out when looking for diamonds. Because these eruptions occurred millions and millions of years ago, the diamond jewellery we sport these days on our engagement rings, are indeed, an ancient piece of history.

Not all diamonds are mined from the earth; they may also be found in rivers, or what are more formally known as alluvial diamond sites. Although these diamonds were formed in the same way as mined diamonds, travelling to the surface through kimberlite pipes, due to environmental activity, such as glaciers, flood waters, and wind, they have been displaced differently and deposited along these beds.

Next time you slip on your diamond engagement ring, or put on a diamond pendant, remember you are not only wearing something beautiful, but something naturally remarkable.