Formed billions of years ago, deep within the Earth, diamonds are the hardest natural substance known to man. Which begs the question; if it´s the hardest natural substance then how do you cut a diamond?

Visit the new Diamonds exhibit at Dynamic Earth, and find out what makes Canadian diamonds among the most valued in the world! Unearth how diamonds are formed and mined out of the ground! You can learn what types of sand may contain diamonds. Using some of the same tools and equipment seen in jewellery stores, you can size your own diamonds, evaluate colour and determine cut! Find out why diamonds are ‘a girl´s best friend’.

The 200 metre (2,000 square feet) Diamonds exhibition is organized into five main themes and experience areas:

• Formation
• Exploration
• Mining and Processing
• Properties
• The Gem

Formation

The origin of diamonds is linked to Earth’s early history. Formed billions of years ago deep within the Earth, carbon requires just the right pressure and temperature to form diamond. Visitors will explore the complexities of diamond formation in a computerized model of the Earth by trying to find the depths where diamonds commonly form.

Other interesting facts:

• The only way for a diamond to make it to surface is through a violent eruption, somewhat like that of a volcano.

• The diamonds travel to the surface at a speed of about 30km/h which ensures the diamonds survive the trip up. If they traveled any slower, they would turn into graphite.

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Exploration

Carried from deep within the Earth to the surface by volcanic eruptions, diamonds lay there for thousands of years before being discovered by geologists using the most advanced technology. Finding diamonds can take decades. It takes perseverance, determination, and a bit of luck to find “the mother lode”. Visitors will meet a diamond exploration geologist, learn about the challenges and rewards of diamond exploration, and see the tools used to discover ore bodies.

Other interesting facts:

• Other minerals such as garnets and olivine form under the same conditions as diamonds but in much greater quantities. Explorers use these minerals to indicate where diamonds may be found. They are called indicator minerals.

• The search for diamonds is conducted in the air and on the ground. A ground surveyer can cover 7 line-kilometres in a day; meanwhile an airborne surveyer can cover 400 line-kilometres.

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Mining and Processing

While diamonds were first mined in India over 4,000 years ago, modern mining as we know it began in South Africa in the late 19th century. Today, Canada is emerging as a major diamond producer. Mining in the Canadian Arctic has its share of challenges. Visitors will gain a better appreciation for the complexities of operating a mine in a remote location, and learn the mining processes involved in producing a single, one carat, polished and gem-quality diamond.

Other interesting facts:

• Diamond mining is a global phenomenon that is very diverse. The methods used to get the diamonds out of the ground all depend on the deposit, and where it is located in the world.

• Diamonds have special properties that make them different from any other mineral. These diamond properties are used to separate the diamonds from the rest of the rock sample.

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Properties

Diamonds are the hardest natural substances known to man. They are non-metallic, do not conduct electricity, have great thermal conductivity, and refractive index. These properties make them useful, not only in jewellery, but in many industrial, technological and scientific applications as well. By using real tools, visitors will discover the properties of diamonds and discover their many uses.

Other interesting facts:

• The only thing that can cut a diamond is another diamond!

• About 80% of all diamonds from the earth are used in industry, used as cutting tools and abrasives.

• Thanks to advances in technology we can create lab-grown diamonds.

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The Gem

Housed in a jewellery store setting, this section will explore how diamonds are cut and polished to liberate their fiery beauty. Colour, clarity, carat, and cut determine the value of a gem-quality diamond. Visitors will manipulate the tools of the trade to evaluate diamonds.

Other interesting facts:

• Canadian diamonds are among some of the highest valued of any diamonds mined anywhere in the world.

• During the cutting and polishing process about 50% of the original carat weight is lost.

• Diamonds can come in a variety of colours including yellow, brown, red, and green.

Funded in part by: NOHFC

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