Diamond is just inclusion in rocks such as graphites, serpentines and olivines. Sometimes a gemstone is found in sea and river pebble placers. Their getting there is due to the destruction of volcanic rocks.
To get at least 1 gram of diamonds, it may be necessary to process more than 250 tons of ore. And if we take into account the processing of stone, then the amount of natural material can be easily multiplied by 2. Hence the high cost of this stone.
a brief description of
The chemical composition of diamond refers it to the simplest mineral. In fact, this is ordinary carbon, in which a small amount of iron, calcium and magnesium is observed.
According to physicochemical parameters, it is a colorless, sometimes with a shade of orange or blue color. Its hardness on the Mohs scale is - 10. The carbon density is 3.52 per 1 cm2.
There are no two absolutely identical stones, they are unique in all characteristics and structure. But you should not believe in the myth that diamond cannot be broken. History proves the opposite. Even under the reign of King Louis XI, some warriors argued about this. They decided to check the density by applying powerful blows to the stones. As a result, the experiment ended with the diamonds crumbling. The stones were considered fake.
Diamond is a gem capable of supporting the economy of any country where mining is established.
Rating of producing countries
According to statistics, at the beginning of 2017 in the world there are only 9 countries - leaders in this industry. In absolute percentage terms, these states occupy 99% of all world production, and in cost terms - 96%.
The Russian Federation is an unchanging leader in this industry. In second and third places are Canada and Botswana. Together they produce 60%. Naturally, each country has its own diamond capital. In Russia, this is the village of Mirny (Yakutia). In Canada, a city in the Northwest Region - Yellowknife - is called the "diamond" capital. And Botswana is called a diamond country.
Russian stocks
Despite the fact that the diamond capital of Russia is the city of Mirny, stone is mined in the country in other regions:
- Verkhotinskoye field (Arkhangelsk region). Located in the Mezen district. There is only one kimberlite pipe and, according to rough estimates, deposits in it are at the level of 100 million carats. The percentage of production is about 17.5.
- Krasnovishevsky district in the Urals. This territory accounts for only 0.2% of placers.
- Arkhangelsk gems are mined in the Lomonosov deposit.
The main production is carried out in Yakutia. This region accounts for more than 82% of the total state volume. Here, development is carried out not only from indigenous, but also from the so-called alluvial deposits.
Kimberlite pipe
Along with the concept of "diamond capital" in Russia and other countries, the term "kimberlite pipe" is used. For many, the phrase is completely incomprehensible. In fact, everything is very simple. A kimberlite pipe is just a vertical or almost vertical geological body. It turns out such a deepening due to the fall of a meteorite. The tube is filled with kimberlite and other rocks.
It is in this magnetic rock that diamonds are found in industrial concentration. And the breed got its name due to the fact that in 1871 in South Africa, it was in the city of Kimberley, a huge stone was found weighing 16.7 grams, which caused diamond rush.
Yakutia
The Republic of Sakha, which is part of the Russian Federation, was founded in 1922. The largest region of Russia. Even within the entire planet, it is the largest administrative and territorial unit, which is larger than even such a state as Kazakhstan and Argentina. At the same time, the republic has less than 1 million inhabitants, and the population density per 1 sq. Km. km only 0.31 people. Yakutia has 3 time zones and the highest natural resource potential.
In some sources, the capital of the diamond region of Russia is called Yakutsk - the main city of the republic. Indeed, diamond, oil, gas and gold mining industries are developed throughout the region. But the main diamond deposit is in Mirny.
Peaceful
The city is located 820 kilometers from the capital of the republic - Yakutsk. The year of its foundation is considered to be 1955. It was then that a deposit of precious stones was discovered, which was called "Mir".
The real diamond capital of Russia is the city of Mirny. The Yakutalmaz NGO, which actually feeds the entire local population, is located on its territory.
Lives in the city, according to the beginning of 2017, only 35, 376 people. By the standards of Russia, this is a small town.
Climatic conditions are referred to the conditions of the Far North, there is a very short summer with an average temperature of + 18 degrees. Winter is very long, the lowest temperature drops to -40 degrees and below.
Quarry "World"
The exploration and production of diamonds in this region occurred during the Cold War. At that time, the government of the country had to radically solve the problems associated with the defense industry. In the Urals, precious metals were not enough, and scientists looked closely at the Yakut land. So, in fact, the diamond capital of Russia appeared - Mirny.
It was in 1955 that the famous phrase sounded on the radio: “They lit a pipe of the world. Excellent tobacco. ” It literally meant the following, that all the hopes of scientists and prospectors were fully justified - diamonds were found in the deposit. Over time, the settlement began to grow here.
Until 2001, open pit mining was conducted in the quarry. Over the entire period 3 of its major reconstruction were carried out. To date, it has been precisely established that precious stones lie at a depth of 1 kilometer, so mines are being built that will allow for closed mining.
