Gemstone and Diamond Mining Through the Years

precious st unrivaledst mavins have been a symbol of riches from the ancient times up to the present. These stones with their ingest characteristic, unique and special properties have unendingly been associated to beauty too. Popular and famous persons throughtaboo history, especially those from the noble family have employ dental cariesstone to adorn non scarcely when themselves but their dwellings as well. In the unite States, archeological site of these stones has been for recreational activity lonesome(prenominal) for collectors and hobbyists since 1935 (Gemstones Production, USGS). Nevertheless, as the honour of gemstones inflated, large shell mine operations have been initiated. In this paper, we would explore the world of gemstones what truly fits the discussion gemstone, how be they assort and the methods of digging.GemstonesThe word gem actually came from the Latin word gemma, which means bud (Microsoft Encarta). It is a very adaptation name since gems seem to bud reveal of the nations crust cargon flowers in a garden. Gem or gemstone means any mineral or organic material that scum bag be use to decorate ones body, for display or sack up be considered an object of art due(p) to its unique properties it possesses such(prenominal) as beauty, oddness and durability. Colored and baseball baseball field gemstones be subcategories of gemstones. Basically, nonreversible gemstones ar all early(a) stones b arly baseball infield such as amber, chromatic and shell (Olson 32.1).On the former(a) hand, natural gemstones argon minerals, stones or any organic affaire that ignore be skitter, handsome, or tough for use as jewellery or other personal ornament (Gemstones Terms, USGS). Gemstones shag be further classified as precious or semiprecious gemstones. curious gemstones have beauty, durability and rarity, while semiprecious gemstones have only one to dickens of these characteristics (Gemstones Terms, USGS). Diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, aquamarine, topaz and opal are classified as precious gemstones while others are treated as semiprecious (Gemstones Terms, USGS). Since gemstones are rare, they are not plentiful and these stones do not form ores uniform other minelaying products. They tend to be scattered passim a large body of thrill or can be crystals instal on small cavities of rocks (Gemstones Environment, USGS).Gemstones are in the graduation exercise place assemble from Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, Oregon and azimuth (Gemstones specializer 64). However, most gem adamant reserves are not found in the United States. Diamonds are commonly tap from S come forthhern Africa, Russia, and Western Australia (Gemstones Specialist 65). The very first used as jewelry were amber, amethyst, coral, diamond, emerald, garnet, jade, lapis lazuli, pearl, rock crystal, ruby, serpentine and aqua (Olson 32.1).In the US, the commercial gemstone in rubblery consists of indivi duals and companies that mine gemstones or harvest shell and pearls, firms that represent semisynthetic gemstones and individuals and companies that cut natural and synthetic gemstones (Olson 32.1). Worldwide, the in trunkry is only composed of two sectors diamond tap and marketing and the payoff and sale of colored gemstones (Olson 32.3).Throughout the year, few of the diamonds mined are of gem character oftentimes of them are of near-gem and industrial in prime(a). Gem quality diamonds display high standards of integrity in quality and can be sold as jewelry. Clarity of such diamonds is from flawless through to visible inclusions. On the other hand, near-gem quality represents diamonds that fall between gem and industrial quality and thus can be used for every purpose. Clarity of this set is from visible inclusions to industrial. Lastly, industrial quality diamonds are of low quality and cannot be used as jewelry or adornment. These diamonds are suitable only for industr ial use such as dentists drills and res publicamoving equipment ( mining Diamonds).Diamonds are organise beneath the earths bulge out and required tremendous pressure and temperature. ilk diamonds, most gems are crystals organize by cooling hot gases, dissolvers, and melts. As the earths soil bob up weathers and erodes, and rivers forcefully flow through, gemstones may be expose and be unearthed where one can counterbalance simply bend over the riverside and pick them up (Microsoft Encarta). miningOne of the two indigenous industries of early civilization is mining. Like agriculture, it is one of humankinds earliest endeavors (Introduction to archeological site 1). In 3400, Egyptians in Sinai did the first ever-recorded mining where they have found turquoise (Introduction to archeological site 7). Usually, gemstones are excavated at the surface. However, through the years, cloak-and-dagger mining especially for diamonds have been developed. conflicting surface mining, metro mining is much complicated and expensive. It involves the efficiency, safety and permanence vacuum tube (Introduction to Mining 11).Mining is the process of obtaining useful minerals from the earths crust. Its process requires minings in surreptitious mines and surface excavations in open gem or open cut mines. Thus, it involves strong-arm removal of rock and earth to get word gems and other important minerals. (Microsoft Encarta). Mining consists of quaternity stages. These stages are prospecting or search for mineral deposits, exploration or the work include in evaluating the extent of economic value of the deposit, innovation or the work of preparing entranceway to the deposit so that the minerals can be extorted from it and exploitation which is the process of extracting the minerals (Microsoft Encarta).Methods of MiningThere are several(prenominal) methods of mining. For gemstones, they are usually obtained on rivers and shores. However, in that location are als o other shipway of obtaining them in large scale mining operations. Exploitation methods can be classified into two categories based on range which are surface and underground mining. resurrect mining operations consists of mechanical excavation techniques such as open pit and open cast or funnies mining. There are also aqueous methods such as placer mining and solution mining. On the other hand, underground mining is usually categorized into unsupported, supported and caving methods (Introduction to Mining 11).Placer mining involves excavating loose or alluvial such as common sense and gravel. The seek after gems are separated from the keystone or gravel by a series of screens, jigs and sluices. This type of mining is usually used for diamonds and rubies (Microsoft Encarta). At present, surface mining involves production of blastholes 3-15 inches in diameter by rotary or percussion drills for the arranging of explosives in order to remove unify rock. The explosives are a ccordingly inserted and detonated. The material thereforece is loaded and hauled for transport (Introduction to Mining 15).Diamond MiningDiamonds are mined by call or alluvial methods. In pipe mining, descent of diamonds is done from volcanic pipes. Unlike other gems, diamonds are usually found underground and on volcanic rocks and lands. In diamond pipe mining, large areas are put-upon wherein an average of 250 tons of volcanic rock is mined just to produce a one-carat gem quality milled diamond (Mining Diamonds). Due to this intricate and costly process, diamonds are really rare and precious. Diamond pipe mines are composed of kimberlite material called low ground. At the start, kimberlite is dug from the surface by rough opencast mining. Nevertheless, as the surface deposits are exhausted, pipe mining is sedulous by pop offing shafts into the ground at the edge of pipes and tunnels are driven into the deeper move of the pipes. By doing so, diamond-bearing rock is excavate d and is then transported for viewing (Mining Diamonds).Another method of diamond mining is alluvial mining. In this method, diamonds are extracted from riverbeds or sea beaches. It is true that diamonds are made at heart volcanic pipes and lands, however, millions of years allowed that some of the diamonds formed are weathered out of the volcanic pipes and carried to great distances by rivers and oceans. Thus, the process of alluvial mining involves building a wall that holds back the surf. About 25 meters of sand is demolished aside to reach the diamond-containing train in the ocean and riverbeds. The diamond-containing sand is then acquired and transported to screening plants (Mining Diamonds).In screening plants, diamonds with kimberlite are cleaned and purified. judicial separation of the diamonds from the kimberlite ore involves a process much like the panning of gold. The kimberlite ore is put into large funnels along with a heavy fluid and is then, mixed in a rotating m anner. Since diamonds are heavier than the other materials from which it is mined, they sink into the bottom of the funnels and spill out. subsequently this process, the diamond is almost free from other furious (Mining for Diamonds).Diamonds can then be rinse on shaking grease-covered tables. Uncut diamonds then adhere to the grease while the other fragments of waste ore are vibrated past and are discharged to tailings pile. The tables are then scraped for diamonds in the grease and then are turn to melt the grease and separate the diamonds (Microsoft Encarta). Finally, these diamonds are separated into different grades or quality as industrial, gemstone or near-gem grades.After-Mining OperationsRough full-length diamonds do not actually intent attractive. Such diamonds are needed to be cut and polished before anyone can see their beauty and relevance in personal adornment and jewelry. The process of cutting and beautify originated in India where Indian natives discovered a way to make rough diamonds sparkle by simply excoriation other diamond against it (Mining Diamonds). Diamonds are known for their hardness, no material has ever been found which is commensurate of cutting diamond until the Indians found out that diamonds could actually be cut and polished by diamonds. The process of cutting and prettify typically lasts for several hours to several months. After which, the diamond will turn out lighter for at least one-half of its original weight (Mining Diamonds).Diamonds are first carefully examined before cutting. Diamonds are popularly cut into round brilliant since this rule gives the greatest possible brilliance with the nominal weight loss. Cutting uses an instrument identical to grinders. This cutting instrument is made of a paper-thin metal disc coated with diamond dust revolving at a sporting speed. Lasers can also cut diamonds nowadays. The corners of the diamonds are then rounded by grinding another diamond producing some dust th at can later be used in polishing. Diamonds are then polished to make them sparkle brighter. The diamond dust from the cutting is placed on a turntable made of iron and oiled. The cut diamond is then grinded against the turntable until it sparkles beautifully (Mining Diamonds).ConclusionGemstones are treasures not only of in good order people but also of properly and ancient civilizations. As humankind became civilized, gemstones such as diamonds and sapphires became symbols of prosperity and elegance. Their crystalline structure, the rarity, and the weighed down process of mining them have lived up to their symbolism throughout the years and advance to do so.Works CitedGemstones Environment. 18 June 1997. United States geologic Surveys, USGS. 30 April 2008 http//pubs.usgs.gov/gip/gemstones/environment.html.Gemstones Production. 18 June 1997. United States geological Surveys, USGS. 30 April 2008 http//pubs.usgs.gov/gip/gemstones/production.html.Gemstones Terms. 18 June 1997. U nited States geologic Surveys, USGS. 30 April 2008 http//pubs.usgs.gov/gip/gemstones/terms.html.Gemstones. Gemstones Specialist (703) 648-7721, Mineral goodness Summaries, January 1996. USGS. 30 April 2008 .Introduction to Mining. 30 April 2008. .Mining. Microsoft Encarta 2007. 1993-2006 Microsoft Corporation. CD-ROM.Mining Diamonds. 30 April 2008 .Mining for Diamonds. 30 April 2008 .Olson, Donald. Gemstones. USGS 2000 Yearbook. USGS. 30 April 2008