Legend has it that there existed an inaccessible valley somewhere in Central Asia and a carpet of diamonds covered it. It was patrolled by prehistoric birds of prey and guarded by venomous snakes. However, the truth is that the exact origin of diamonds is still a mystery, to scientists and geologists.

Diamonds were formed as long ago as 3.5 billion yeas, under conditions of great heat and pressure, deep inside the earth. This correlates with the earliest stages of the development of our planet, estimated to be in the region of 4.5 billion years old.

Volcanic eruptions carried the diamonds to the surface of the earth millions of years ago. Diamonds are found in cone-shaped pipes of rock called kimberlite. These pipes have been weathered and their diamonds dispersed by rivers to far-lying areas, such as coastlines.