There are two methods for extracting diamonds, depending on the formation of the ground from which they are extracted. The first consists of bringing large quantities of material to the surface. Following a  arge reduction of debris and a wash, the rough diamonds are then taken from this source. However, when the diamonds are brought to the surface (on rivers and on sandy beaches) by water erosion, the extraction is easier.

The extraction of diamonds can be industrial, artisan, or manual. Diamonds are very rare: 250 tonnes of material have to be removed in order to find one carat of diamonds (one carat equals 1/5 of a gram). The annual World production amounts to about 100 million carats of which only 50% can be used to manufacture jewels. Only one percent has the necessary qualities to become an investment diamond.