Diamond Source - What is Kimberlite?
What is Kimberlite? Kimberlite is a rock that occurs in ancient volcanic pipes. The kimberlite rock is the most common host of diamonds. Volcanic pipes, or channels are commonly referred to as kimberlites.  Kimberlite is the blue rock typical of these volcanic pipes. When a volcano erupts diamonds are also deposited on, or near, the surface the Kimberlite.  The diamond deposits discovered at Kimberley in South Africa were the first deposits where this type of rock was recognized and was the source of its name.

Diamond Source - What is a Placer or Alluvial Deposit?
What is a Placer Deposit or Alluvial Deposit? Some of the kimberlite host rock is washed away by streams and rivers and the diamonds and is deposited in the stream sands in 'placer deposits'. The sediment deposited by flowing water, such as in a riverbed, is referred to as an Alluvial deposit. These deposits are caused by volcanic eruptions or by millions of years of erosion caused by rainfall and snow-melt which unearth the diamonds from their kimberlite source.

Source of Diamonds - Rough Diamonds
Rough Diamonds present a rough surface, resembling poorly polished glass, and are often dull, as though covered with a thin coating of gum

Source of Diamonds - The Discovery of the Cullinan Diamond
The source of diamonds provide an understanding of how diamonds are discovered. This is illustrated through the history of the giant Cullinan Diamond which originated in South Africa. The Cullinan Diamond was named after Thomas Cullinan who was a South African businessman and amateur geologist. Cullinan became interested in the area east of Pretoria because of the alluvial diamonds that were being found in a stream at a nearby farm. (A Placer or Alluvial deposit). Thomas Cullinan bought the farm and established the Premier Diamond Mine in 1905. Frederick Wells, the superintendent of the Premier Mine found the rough 'Cullinan' crystal when he was making a routine inspection of the mine, eighteen feet below the ground. The crystal was embedded in the Kimberlite rock. It was enormous and looked liked colored glass - Wells thought that one of his workers had planted it there as a practical joke! This story perfectly illustrates the source of a diamond!

Source of Diamonds
The source of diamonds is a fascinating subject. This page was designed to clarify the source of diamonds and the meaning of Kimberlite, Placer Deposits and Alluvial deposits. Click the following links for information relating to Where Diamonds are Found and Diamond Mines

Diamonds are Forever...
An Impartial Guide to Diamonds

Facts - Information - Guide - Diamond Source - Kimberlite - Placer deposits - Alluvial
deposits - Diamond Source - Definition - Diamond Source - Common Forms
Diamond Source - Kimberlite and Placer Deposits