How Are Diamonds Made?

When truly contemplating how diamonds are made, the initial train of thought is that they are not made, they just happen. In reality though, diamonds are made. Essentially, diamonds are made two ways. They are either naturally forming, rough diamonds made by mother earth or they are man-made diamonds. The difference is minute from a scientific standpoint, but the emotional debate from a practical standpoint is a somewhat heated and controversial one.

Diamonds are made naturally deep within the earth as carbon atoms are exposed to high amounts of heat and pressure. When the temperature and pressure is just right, the carbon atoms crystallize and a diamond is formed. This process has been occurring below the earth’s crust since the formation of the earth. Volcanic pressure has forced these diamonds up through cracks in the crust where they have settled below the surface waiting to be mined.


Diamonds are the only gemstones known to man to be comprised of a single element. It is estimated that only one-quarter of mined diamonds are made into jewelry. It is because of this rare gift of Mother Nature that a diamond is one of the most coveted of all precious gems.

As opposed to naturally occurring, some diamonds are made by man. Some people call them artificial diamonds; others call them cultured diamonds. However, diamonds made by man are identical in composition to naturally formed diamonds, not imposters like cubic zirconia or glass. Sometimes referred to as “growing” a diamond, these diamonds are made by recreating the same chemistry of heat and pressure only with a machine. Rather than taking millions of years, as geologists have calculated is the length of the natural process, cultured diamonds can be made in as little as three days.

Upon testing, there is little to distinguish naturally made diamonds from diamonds made artificially, which leaves the industry somewhat in a quandary over how to regulate them. Diamonds made by artificial means sell for much cheaper than a naturally mined diamond and some industry leaders have expressed concern over artificial diamonds hitting the market as natural. However, there are few manufacturers of artificial diamonds and most of them actually engrave microscopic labels onto the diamond’s surface.

As a matter of industry, diamonds made by machine may serve a greater purpose than engagement rings. Currently, experts are attempting to manufacture diamond microchips that would last longer than any other substance due to heat resistance. Diamonds are also used in the composition of different types of saw blades.

Regardless of how the diamonds are made, naturally or artificially, the choices to be made when purchasing a diamond remain a matter of personal preference. Some argue that that the artificial diamond contains none of the mystique associated with the amazing processes that occur in nature, while others argue that the man-made diamond is an identical substance that can be bought for a fraction of the cost. If left to a woman to choose her engagement ring, it could be the difference between a 0.5-carat weight ring and a 2.0-carat weight ring. Ultimately, the choice is yours – or hers as the case may be.