Natural Diamonds
Born of pressure, time, and the deep earth. Understanding what makes a natural diamond what it is — and what it carries that nothing else can.
A natural diamond is, in the most literal sense, a piece of the earth. It existed before any of us — and will exist long after. What you choose to do with it is part of its story now.
What they actually are.
A natural diamond is pure crystallised carbon, formed in the upper mantle of the earth roughly 150 to 200 kilometres below the surface — under temperatures exceeding 1,000°C and pressures over 50,000 atmospheres. The conditions are extreme. The timeframe is staggering: most natural diamonds are between one and three billion years old.
They were carried to the surface through volcanic eruptions hundreds of millions of years ago, in deep-source eruptions of rare volcanic rock called kimberlite. The diamonds we mine today are essentially fossils of an ancient earth — geological accidents preserved in stone.
Every natural diamond is unique. No two were ever formed in the same place, in the same conditions, or with the same internal characteristics. The faint inclusions inside a natural diamond — sometimes called its "fingerprint" — are what tell its individual story. They prove its origin. They make it the only one of its kind.
"A natural diamond is, in the most literal sense, a piece of the earth. What you choose to do with it is part of its story now."
How they came to be.
One to three billion years in the making.
Once at the surface, diamond-bearing rock weathers over time. Some diamonds remain in their original kimberlite pipes (primary deposits). Others are washed by rivers and oceans into alluvial deposits, where they are recovered today. Both produce gem-quality stones.
Diamond origins.
Modern natural diamonds are mined across several continents. Each origin carries its own associations and quality reputations, though excellent stones come from every region.
Botswana
~25% of world supplyThe world's largest natural diamond producer by value, known for exceptionally high-quality stones. Source of many of the most famous large diamonds discovered in the modern era.
Russia
~22% of world supplyMajor producer with vast Siberian reserves. Yields a wide range of qualities. Currently subject to ethical and trade complications that affect availability and pricing internationally.
Canada
~10% of world supplySome of the most ethically tracked diamonds in the world come from Canada's Northwest Territories. Many Canadian diamonds carry origin certificates trackable from mine to ring.
Others
Combined ~25% of supplySouth Africa is the historical heart of mining. Australia was once the leading source of pink diamonds. Angola and Namibia also produce distinct, high-value stones.
"Modern natural diamonds are sourced under the Kimberley Process, an international certification system designed to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the supply chain. We work only with vetted, fully traceable sources."
The 4Cs explained.
Natural diamonds are graded by the same universal system used for lab-grown diamonds — Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat. At Stara, every natural centre diamond we set is certified by either GIA or IGI.
C
Cut
Determines how light travels through the stone. The single most important factor. A well-cut SI1 G will outsparkle a poorly cut VS1 D every time.
C
Colour
D through Z scale. D-F is colourless, G-J near-colourless. Most natural diamonds carry slight warmth — G-H is often the sweet spot of value and beauty.
C
Clarity
VS1-SI1 is the eye-clean range where most well-budgeted natural diamonds live. The internal "fingerprint" of inclusions is what makes each stone unique.
C
Carat
Natural diamonds command exponentially higher prices at larger sizes due to genuine rarity. A 2-carat natural is significantly more than 2x the price of a 1-carat.
Naturally coloured fancy diamonds.
When trace elements interact with carbon during formation, the result can be nature's rarest creation: the fancy colour diamond. Yellow, blue, pink, green — each caused by specific elemental impurities.
Yellow
Caused by nitrogen. Most common fancy colour.
Pink
Cause unknown. Extremely rare. Argyle origin.
Blue
Caused by boron. Among the rarest of fancies.
Green
From natural radiation. Among rarest hues.
Naturally coloured diamonds are among the most valuable gemstones on earth. A vivid pink natural diamond can sell for several million dollars per carat. They are extraordinarily rare and acquired primarily by collectors.
Why certification matters.
A grading certificate from GIA or IGI is your stone's birth certificate. It confirms the diamond's identity and grades each of the 4Cs based on standardised, scientific examination. It also notes whether the stone has been treated.
For natural diamonds, certification often includes inscribed laser identification on the diamond's girdle — a microscopic serial number that uniquely identifies your stone for the rest of its life.
"Every centre diamond we set is certified by IGI or GIA, unless our client specifically requests otherwise. The certificate stays with you — your stone's identity, in writing."
What natural is good for.
You want a piece of the earth — and history.
- You value the geological rarity of a stone billions of years in the making
- You want a piece that holds intrinsic value over generations
- The story of where your stone came from matters to you
- You appreciate that no two natural stones are alike — each one is one of one
- You see your jewellery as a long-term family heirloom
Natural diamonds typically carry higher prices than lab-grown counterparts — generally 2 to 4 times more. That premium reflects rarity, geological history, and stronger long-term resale value relative to lab-grown.
How we source natural stones.
Natural diamonds are sourced for our clients privately, by appointment. The reason is simple — natural diamonds vary tremendously in character, and choosing one well requires conversation, not browsing. A stone's origin, its inclusions, its certification, its specific cut quality — all of these are best understood in person or through guided virtual viewing.
Drawing on our family's four decades of experience cutting and polishing diamonds in Surat, India — the diamond cutting capital of the world — we hand-curate options based on your specific budget, design, and preferences. You see the stones with their certificates. You ask every question you want. You decide.
There is no obligation to proceed and no deposit required to begin the conversation.