How are diamonds formed?

Natural diamonds are formed deep within the earth, using heat and pressure found around 87 to 118 miles beneath the surface. Carbon compressed tightly together forms a crystal lattice, the purity of which determines colors in the diamond.

Diamonds can come in blue, yellow, brown, green, purple, pink, orange and red. The carbon-binding process can take over a billion years for a diamond to be formed naturally. Synthetic diamonds can be created using a process that approximates the high heat and pressure used to create diamonds, and can create gem-quality stones. Industrial processes, such as metal grinding and bladed tools use synthesized diamonds to provide a long-lasting coating on cutting edges.