Historically, diamonds have symbolized prestige and affluence. They have adorned royal crowns and regal jewelry over the centuries. Nevertheless, only around one-fifth of the diamonds extracted worldwide qualify as gem-grade, making them suitable for jewelry use. The majority, approximately 80%, have industrial applications because of their unmatched hardness, making them ideal for cutting and grinding tools.
Diamonds are mainly discovered within kimberlite pipes, which are specialized volcanic rocks formed from rare eruptions that bring these gemstones closer to the Earth's surface. These are then mined through various extraction procedures.
The high demand for these striking gemstones has led to the development of diamond mines worldwide, spanning from Russia to South Africa and beyond. In this gallery, we explore some of the biggest mines in the world and their total diamond deposits. Click on to discover them.