Diamonds are undoubtedly one of the most precious and rarest gemstones that occur naturally on the crust of the Earth. Diamond cutters usually implement a number of clarity and color enhancement process on natural diamonds in order to improve their color and clarity. These treatments allow jewelers and diamond ring manufacturers to produce durable and stunning pieces of jewelry by using the stones.
Natural diamonds are mined in several parts of the world and African countries are one of the leading diamond producers. Only a few people are aware that there are approximately 15 diamond producing countries in Africa, which are Togo, Tanzania, CAR, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Lesotho, Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Zimbabwe, Congo, Namibia, Angola, South Africa, and Botswana. The largest diamond producing countries in the African countries at present are the following.
The Democratic Republic of Congo
Congo was once one among the leading producers of diamond not just in Africa, but also in the entire world. The mines in this country produced approximately 19.2 million carats of diamonds in the year 2011. This allowed Congo to become the second largest diamond producing country in Africa in terms of volume. The mines in Congo have done an impressive job throughout the years and it enabled them to cement the second position for several years. However, over the last few years, other African countries such as Namibia, Angola, and South Africa surpassed Congo in terms of volume and value of diamonds produced.
Namibia
The Orange River, which acts as a geographic divining line between Namibia and South Africa, has been carrying kimberlite material from the Kaapvaal Craton in Botswana and South Africa for millions of years. Diamond bearing materials were deposited as alluvium or gravels in the banks of the river. Namibia is currently the fourth largest producer of diamonds in Africa. Reports claim that the mines in Namibia have produced diamonds of worth 937 million dollars in 2015.
Botswana
Botswana, which is bordered by South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, continues to be the leading diamond producing country in South Africa and the world. Diamonds were first discovered in Botswana in the year 1967. After that, Botswana started producing diamonds and soon become one of the major diamond producers by the mid-1980’s. The diamonds by carats produced by the diamond mines in Botswana last year is estimated to be around 24 million carats.