Diamonds were formed billions of years ago under intense heat and pressure when diamond-bearing ore was brought to the surface through volcanic eruption. After the magma cooled, it solidified into blue ground, or kimberlite, where precious rough diamonds are still found today.

Diamond is an allotrope of carbon where the carbon atoms are arranged in a variation of the face-centered cubic crystal structure called a diamond lattice. Diamond is renowned as a material with superlative physical qualities, most of which originate from the strong covalent bonding between its atoms. In particular, diamond has the highest hardness and thermal conductivity of any bulk material.

The formation of natural diamond requires very specific conditions—exposure of carbon-bearing materials to high pressure, ranging approximately between 45 and 60 kilo bars (4.5 and 6 GPa), but at a comparatively low temperature range between approximately 900–1300 °C (1652–2372 °F). These conditions are met in two places on Earth; in the lithospheric mantle below relatively stable continental plates, and at the site of a meteorite strike. Most natural diamonds are formed at high temperature and pressure at depths of 140 to 190 kilometers (87 to 120 miles) in the Earth's mantle. Carbon-containing minerals provide the carbon source, and the growth occurs over periods from 1 billion to 3.3 billion years.

Shapes

The exemplary jewel is, to the vast majority, a round diamond of shining white splendor with a kaleidoscope of astonishing features to tempt the eye. Indeed and negative. Precious stones are normal gems of fluctuating size and shape framed in the earth north of millions of years. The conventional round splendid precious stone, however the most well known jewel state of all, is not really the entire story. By the precious stone shaper's specialty these gems are cut into pearls of astounding and unusual excellence. A shaper's ability will create a precious stone of the best size with the least imperfections and the most brightness.

Round

This shape has set the norm for any remaining precious stone shapes, and records for over 75% of jewels sold today. Its 58-feature cut, split between its crown (top), support (most extensive part) and structure (base), is aligned through an exact recipe to accomplish the greatest in fire and splendor. Created ca. 1900, the round splendid is the most well known slice given to precious stone. It is normally the most ideal decision with regards to saleability, insurability (because of its generally "safe" shape), and wanted optics.