Gemstone and Diamond Mining Through the Years

Gemst sensations have been a symbol of wealth from the ancient times up to the present. These st unitarys with their own characteristic, unique and special properties have al slipway been associated to truelove too. Popular and famous persons through divulge history, especially those from the noble family have utilise jewelst angiotensin-converting enzyme to adorn not moreover themselves but their dwellings as well. In the joined States, archeological site of these stones has been for recreational activity only for collectors and hobbyists since 1935 (Gemstones Production, USGS). Nevertheless, as the survey of pits inflated, giving scale dig operations have been initiated. In this paper, we would research the world of precious stonestones what truly fits the word gemstone, how atomic number 18 they classified and the modes of tap.GemstonesThe word gem actually came from the Latin word gemma, which means bud (Microsoft Encarta). It is a precise fitting name since gems seem to bud out of the earths crust like flowers in a garden. Gem or gemstone means any mineral or positive hearty that pot be used to decorate ones organic structure, for display or can be considered an object of art due to its unique properties it possesses such(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) as beauty, rarity and durability. Colored and baseball diamond gemstones ar subcategories of gemstones. Basically, colored gemstones argon all otherwise stones except diamond such as amber, coral and shell (Olson 32.1).On the other hand, natural gemstones ar minerals, stones or any organic matter that can be rationalise, polished, or treated for use as jewelry or other personal ornament (Gemstones Terms, USGS). Gemstones can be further classified as precious or semiprecious gemstones. rationalizee gemstones have beauty, durability and rarity, eon semiprecious gemstones have only one to two of these characteristics (Gemstones Terms, USGS). Diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, aq uamarine, topaz and opal atomic number 18 classified as precious gemstones while others argon treated as semiprecious (Gemstones Terms, USGS). Since gemstones atomic number 18 rare, they are not plentiful and these stones do not form ores like other dig products. They tend to be scattered throughout a large body of stone or can be crystals effectuate on minuscule cavities of rocks (Gemstones Environment, USGS).Gemstones are primarily found from Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, Oregon and Arizona (Gemstones specialist 64). However, most gem diamond reserves are not found in the United States. Diamonds are usually mined from Southern Africa, Russia, and horse opera Australia (Gemstones specialist 65). The very commencement ceremony used as jewelry were amber, amethyst, coral, diamond, emerald, garnet, jade, lapis lazuli, pearl, rock crystal, ruby, serpentine and turquoise (Olson 32.1).In the US, the commercial gemstone in ashesry consists of individuals and comp anies that mine gemstones or harvest shell and pearls, firms that manufacture artificial gemstones and individuals and companies that cut natural and synthetic gemstones (Olson 32.1). Worldwide, the industry is only composed of two sectors diamond mining and merchandise and the production and sale of colored gemstones (Olson 32.3).Throughout the year, few of the diamonds mined are of gem reference much of them are of near-gem and industrial in select. Gem quality diamonds display high standards of excellence in quality and can be sold as jewelry. uncloudedness of such diamonds is from flawless through to seeable inclusions. On the other hand, near-gem quality represents diamonds that fall between gem and industrial quality and thus can be used for either 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 adapted only for industrial use such as dentists drills and earthmoving equipment (Mining Diamonds).Diamonds are formed beneath the earths out-of-doors and needed tremendous pressure and temperature. Like diamonds, most gems are crystals formed by cooling hot gases, solutions, and melts. As the earths soil rise up weathers and erodes, and rivers forcefully flow through, gemstones may be exposed and be unearthed where one can even exactly bend over the riverbank and nag them up (Microsoft Encarta).MiningOne of the two primary industries of early civilization is mining. Like agriculture, it is one of humankinds earliest endeavors (Introduction to Mining 1). In 3400, Egyptians in Sinai did the first ever-recorded mining where they have found turquoise (Introduction to Mining 7). Usually, gemstones are excavated at the emerge. However, through the years, undercover mining especially for diamonds have been developed. Unlike surface mining, underground mining is more complicated and expensive. It involves the effici ency, safety and permanence underground (Introduction to Mining 11).Mining is the service of obtaining useful minerals from the earths crust. Its process requires excavations in underground mines and surface excavations in open pit or open cut mines. Thus, it involves physical removal of rock and earth to acquire gems and other important minerals. (Microsoft Encarta). Mining consists of four stages. These stages are prospecting or search for mineral deposits, exploration or the work included in evaluating the extent of scotch value of the deposit, innovation or the work of preparing access 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 methods of mining. For gemstones, they are usually obtained on rivers and shores. However, there are also other ways of obtaining them in large scale mining operations. Exploitation methods can be classified into two c ategories based on setting which are surface and underground mining. Surface mining operations consists of mechanical excavation techniques such as open pit and open cast or pillowcase mining. There are also aqueous methods such as placer mining and solution mining. On the other hand, underground mining is usually categorise into unsupported, supported and caving methods (Introduction to Mining 11).Placer mining involves excavating loose or alluvial such as keystone and gravel. The sought after gems are separated from the sand 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 placement of explosives in order to remove consolidated rock. The explosives are thus inserted and detonated. The material then is loaded and hauled for transport (Introduction to Mining 15).Diamond Mini ngDiamonds are mined by shout or alluvial methods. In pipe mining, extraction 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 utilize wherein an average of 250 tons of volcanic rock is mined just to stick a one-carat gem quality polished diamond (Mining Diamonds). Due to this obscure and costly process, diamonds are really rare and precious. Diamond pipe mines are composed of kimberlite material called blue ground. At the start, kimberlite is dug from the surface by rough opencast mining. Nevertheless, as the surface deposits are exhausted, pipe mining is employed by sinking shafts into the ground at the edge of pipes and tunnels are driven into the deeper parts of the pipes. By doing so, diamond-bearing rock is excavated and is then transported for screening (Mining Diamonds).Another method of diamond mining is alluvial mining. In this method, diamonds are extracted from riverbeds or marine beaches. It is true that diamonds are made inside volcanic pipes and lands, however, millions of years allowed that around 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 moxie the surf. About 25 meters of sand is demolished aside to reach the diamond-containing take 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. 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 manner. Since diamonds are heavier than the other materials from which it is mined, they sink into the bottom of the funnels and spill out. After this process, the diamond is almost free from other waste (Mining for Diamonds).Diamonds can then be washed on shaking skank-covered tables. Uncut diamonds then adhere to the grease while the other fragments of waste ore are vibrated past and are accomplish 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 uncut diamonds do not actually look 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 corking and polishing originated in India where Indian natives observe a way to make rough diamonds glisten by simply grinding another diamond against it (Mining Diamonds). Diamonds are known for their hardness, no material has ever been found which is capable of exquisite diamond until the Indians found out that diamonds could actually be cut and polished by diamonds. The process of cutting and polishing typically lasts for several hours to several months. After which, the diamond exit turn out lighter for at least half of its maestro weight (Mining Diamonds).Diamonds are first carefully examined before cutting. Diamonds are popularly cut into round brilliant since this shape gives the greatest possible genius with the minimal weight loss. Cutting uses an factor similar to grinders. This cutting instrument is made of a paper-thin metal disc coated with diamond dust revolving at a fast speed. Lasers can also cut diamonds nowadays. The corners of the diamonds are then rounded by grinding another diamond producing more or less dust that 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 c ut diamond is then grinded against the turntable until it sparkles beautifully (Mining Diamonds).ConclusionGemstones are treasures not only of powerful people but also of mighty 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 arduous process of mining them have lived up to their symbolism throughout the years and hold on to do so.Works CitedGemstones Environment. 18 June 1997. United States Geological 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. United States Geological Surveys, USGS. 30 April 2008 http//pubs.usgs.gov/gip/gemstones/terms.html.Gemstones. Gemstones Specialist (703) 648-7721, Mineral Commodity 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