Diamond is just an inclusion in rocks such as graphite, serpentine and olivine. Sometimes the gem is found in sea and river pebble placers. Their entry 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 safely multiplied by 2. Hence the high cost of this stone.
Short description
The chemical composition of diamond makes it one of the simplest minerals. In fact, this is ordinary carbon, in which there are small amounts of iron, calcium and magnesium.
According to physical and chemical indicators, it is a colorless, sometimes with a tint of orange or blue stone. Its hardness on the Mohs scale is -10. The density of carbon is 3.52 per 1 cm square.
There are no two absolutely identical stones, they are unique in all characteristics and structure. But do not believe in the myth that a diamond cannot be broken. History proves otherwise. Even under the reign of King Louis XI, some warriors argued about this. They decided to checkdensity by applying powerful blows to the stones. As a result, the experiment ended with the fact that the diamonds crumbled. The stones were considered fake.
Diamond is a precious stone that can support the economy of any country where they are mined.
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 the total world production, and in value terms - 96%.
The Russian Federation is the constant leader in this industry. Canada and Botswana are in second and third places. 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 even called a diamond country.
Russian reserves
Despite the fact that the diamond capital of Russia is the city of Mirny, the country is also mining in other regions:
- Verkhotinskoe field (Arkhangelsk region). It is located on the territory of the Mezensky district. There is only one kimberlite pipe here and, according to rough estimates, the deposits in it are at the level of 100 million carats. Production percentage around 17.5.
- Krasnovishevsky district in the Urals. This area accounts for only 0.2% of placers.
- Arkhangelsk gems are mined in the Lomonosov deposit.
The main production is in Yakutia. On thatthe region accounts for more than 82% of the total state volume. Here, mining is carried out not only from primary, 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 nearly vertical geological body. It turns out such a deepening due to the fall of a meteorite. The pipe is filled with kimberlite and other rocks.
It is in this magnetic rock that diamonds are found in industrial concentration. And the name of the breed was due to the fact that back in 1871 in South Africa, it was in the city of Kimberley, a huge stone weighing 16.7 grams was found, which caused a diamond rush.
Yakutia
The Republic of Sakha, which is part of the Russian Federation, was founded in 1922. The largest region in Russia. Even within the entire planet, this is the largest administrative-territorial unit, which is larger than even such a state as Kazakhstan and Argentina. At the same time, there are less than 1 million inhabitants in the republic, and the population density per 1 sq. km only 0, 31 people. Yakutia has 3 time zones and the highest natural resource potential.
In some sources, Yakutsk, the main city of the republic, is called the capital of the diamond region of Russia. Indeed, the diamond, oil, gas and gold mining industriesdeveloped 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 NPO Yakutalmaz enterprise is located on its territory, which actually “feeds” the entire local population.
Living in the city, according to the beginning of 2017, only 35,376 people. By the standards of Russia, this is a small settlement.
Climatic conditions are attributed 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.
Mir Quarry
Exploration and mining of diamonds in this region fell on the Cold War period. At that time, the country's government had to radically solve the problems associated with the defense industry. There was not enough precious metals in the Urals, and scientists looked closely at the Yakut land. So, in fact, the diamond capital of Russia, Mirny, appeared.
It was in 1955 that the famous phrase sounded on the radio: “We lit the pipe of peace. The tobacco is great. This literally meant that all the hopes of scientists and prospectors were fully justified - diamonds were found in the deposit. Over time, it began to growlocality.
Until 2001, open-pit mining was carried out in the quarry. For the entire period, 3 of its major reconstructions were carried out. To date, it is well established that gems lie at a depth of 1 kilometer, so mines are being built that will allow underground mining.
Interesting facts
It is clear where the diamond capital of Russia is located, but few people know the fact that in 1980 it was in this quarry that the largest stone in Russia was mined. It weighs more than 68 grams, which is 342.5 carats.
The depth of the kimberlite pipe is 515 meters, with a diameter of 1.2 thousand meters. The road down, resembling a spiral in length, is 8 kilometers. This is one of the deepest quarries on the planet.
Now you know the name of the diamond capital of Russia - the city of Mirny in Yakutia. It can be reached by the Vilyui highway from the capital of the republic, having overcome 1072 km. Or by air, covering only 820 km.
