Up from Beneath the Earth

Many diamonds are found in the sand and gravel of stream beds or at seashores. Beneath the earth diamonds are located in funnel-, pipe- or carrot-shaped rock formations called “blue ground” because of its blue, claylike appearance. For centuries India supplied the world with diamonds. But now Africa accounts for about 80 percent of the world’s diamond production. Important diamond fields are also located in Russia and South America.

A considerable amount of work goes into extracting diamonds from the earth and preparing them for use by industry or as glittering ornaments. Bulldozers first remove tons of “overburden” in order to get down to the gravel and rocks bearing the diamonds. The material containing the diamonds is then washed in pan plants, leaving a “concentrate.” A jet of water moves the concentrate over a sloping, greased table. The stones and gravel slide over the grease, but the diamonds, which are heavier and repel water, stick in it. Because some diamonds are missed in this process, certain persons make their living by buying the waste and sifting through it for small diamonds and chips.

Diamonds have caused greed to well up in the hearts of many, bringing harm to them. A number of natives in Sierra Leone have lost their lives diving to the bottom of the treacherous Sewa River in quest of large diamonds. Many more have perished in tunnel cave-ins. Illegal mining, smuggling and bribery are common where diamonds are to be found.