Diamonds are the crystalline form of carbon. They are created in molten rock, 75 to 120 miles (120 to 192kms) below the earth’s surface and then transported to the surface in volcanic eruptions. In order to remain a diamond, and not turn into graphite or carbon dioxide, the diamond crystals must cool both near the surface and quickly.

Dark, heavy, often fragmented igneous rock that may contain diamonds in the rock matrix is a mica periodotite known as Kimberlite, an ultra basic rock type with a complex and often highly altered mineral composition. It occurs in the Kimberley district of South Africa and the Kimberley and Lake Argyle regions of Australia, as well as near Ithaca, N.Y.

The most recent “Kimberlite” volcano eruption was approximately 53 million years ago. Kimberlite pipes form when Kimberlite magma, a mixture of rock material, is pushed to the surface. Its important components include fragments of rock, large crystals, and crystallized magma that acts as glue for the mixture. It rises through the Earth’s crust in a network of cracks that become Kimberlite pipes.

According to the San Diego natural History Museum, most diamonds are over three billion years old, two-thirds the age of the Earth.

For the last 4,000 years, diamonds have held special magic for kings and their subjects. Diamonds stand for wealth, power and love.

Diamonds generally, and colour diamonds in particular, are the world’s most concentrated form of wealth.

Universally acknowledged as a hedge against inflation, diamonds have historically provided portability, liquidity and marketability worldwide, especially in times of war, insurrection and political conflict.

Investment quality diamonds are recognized as an integral part of any portfolio and strategy. Diamonds have always represented a sound investment, with demand anticipated to rise dramatically due to:

• Shrinking supplies
• Stock market instability
• Real estate volatility
• Inflation
• Political uncertainty

With the allure of their “one-of-a-kind aura”, diamonds continue to reign as an aesthetically pleasing and eternally valuable world-class asset coveted by both collectors and investors.

Genesis Rare Diamonds does not deal in conflict diamonds (blood diamonds).