Gold is so scarce in Earth’s crust that you’d need to process more than a ton of rock to extract a single gram. Diamonds form under extreme pressure 140–190 km below the surface and reach the surface only via rare kimberlite eruptions. As of 2026, about 54,000 metric tons of gold remain underground, while roughly 1.2 billion carats of diamonds have been mined historically. Russia mines 42 million carats of diamonds per year, the highest output of any country.
CONCISE ANSWER
Yes—both gold and diamonds are natural resources because they occur naturally in the Earth, have economic value, and are extracted for human use.
Are gold and diamonds considered natural resources?
Are gold and diamonds considered natural resources?
Absolutely. Both gold and diamonds meet every standard definition of natural resources—they occur naturally in the Earth, have economic value, and humans extract them for use. Gold and diamonds aren’t man-made; they’re geological gifts that formed over millions or even billions of years.
Geographic Context
Gold and diamonds aren’t scattered randomly—their presence tells us about Earth’s fiery history. Gold usually forms in hot, mineral-rich veins where superheated water leaves it behind in quartz cracks. Diamonds, though, start life 140 to 190 kilometers down, then hitch a ride to the surface in rare volcanic rock called kimberlite.
You won’t find these treasures everywhere. South Africa’s Witwatersrand Basin holds the biggest gold reserves on the planet. Over in Botswana, the Jwaneng and Orapa mines make it the world’s top diamond producer. Mining these resources shapes economies, fuels conflicts, and pushes miners to invent smarter ways to dig them up.
Key Details
| Resource | Primary Formations | Top Producers (2026) | Global Reserves (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Quartz veins, placer deposits, hydrothermal lodes | China, Australia, Russia, United States, Canada | 54,000 metric tons (USGS estimate, 2025 data) |
| Diamonds | Kimberlite pipes, alluvial deposits | Russia, Botswana, Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola | 1.2 billion carats (total mined historically) |
Interesting Background
Diamonds first caught human attention in India around the 4th century BCE, where kings and queens wore them as protective charms. The modern diamond rush kicked off in the 1860s after huge deposits turned up in South Africa. That discovery led straight to De Beers and decades of carefully managed supply—basically, the company controlled how many diamonds hit the market to keep prices high.
Gold, on the other hand, became official money as early as 600 BCE, when the Lydians stamped the first gold coins. Today, about half of all gold ever pulled from the ground sits in bank vaults. The U.S. holds the biggest stash—8,133 tons, according to 2025 numbers. Both gold and diamonds are finite: once we dig them up, they’re gone for good on any human timeline.
Diamonds are literally older than dirt. The oldest ones, found in Western Australia, crystallized over 4 billion years ago—almost as old as Earth itself. Gold has an equally ancient pedigree; much of it probably landed here on meteorites during the Late Heavy Bombardment roughly 4 billion years back, according to research published in Nature in 2011.
Practical Information
Want to try your hand at gold panning? Nevada offers some of the easiest public land access in the U.S. for weekend prospectors. If diamonds are more your style, Botswana’s tourism board runs guided tours of the Jwaneng mine, though you’ll need to book ahead because security is tight. Up in Canada’s frozen north, the Diavik Diamond Mine opens its doors in summer, giving visitors a close-up look at how diamonds are pulled from one of the planet’s most isolated spots.
Diamonds stay expensive partly because supply is tightly controlled. The Kimberley Process, started in 2003, tries to block “blood diamonds” from entering the market, though some weak spots remain. Gold, meanwhile, is getting a second life: in 2025, nearly 30% of the world’s supply came from recycled jewelry and electronics, pushed by both ethics and smart economics.
These two resources still drive innovation—gold keeps our phones and computers running thanks to its conductivity, while diamonds slice through metal and stone in factories. What’s hiding under our feet still powers the world we see above.
How do gold and diamonds form?
How do gold and diamonds form?
Gold usually forms in hot, mineral-rich water that seeps through cracks in rock, leaving veins of the metal behind. Diamonds, though, start their journey far deeper—around 140 to 190 kilometers underground—where extreme pressure and heat squeeze carbon into crystal form. Later, rare volcanic eruptions blast them toward the surface inside kimberlite rock.
Where are the largest gold reserves found?
Where are the largest gold reserves found?
The crown jewel is South Africa’s Witwatersrand Basin. This single region holds the biggest concentration of mineable gold on Earth, built up over billions of years through ancient geological processes.
Which countries lead in diamond production?
Which countries lead in diamond production?
Russia sits at the top of the heap, pulling out 42 million carats every year. It’s followed by Botswana, Canada, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola—each one home to massive diamond deposits.
How old are the oldest diamonds?
How old are the oldest diamonds?
Some diamonds are over 4 billion years old. The ancient crystals found in Western Australia date back nearly to the birth of the planet itself.
How much gold has ever been mined?
How much gold has ever been mined?
As of 2026, humans have pulled roughly 205,236 metric tons of gold from the ground. That’s enough to fill about four Olympic-sized swimming pools.
What percentage of gold supply comes from recycling?
What percentage of gold supply comes from recycling?
In 2025, about 30% of the world’s gold came from recycled sources. Jewelry, electronics, and old coins get melted down and reused, cutting both costs and environmental impact.
How did the diamond industry begin?
How did the diamond industry begin?
Diamonds first grabbed attention in India around the 4th century BCE, where royalty wore them as protective talismans. The modern industry exploded in the 1860s after massive deposits were found in South Africa, leading to the rise of De Beers and decades of supply control.
What is the Kimberley Process?
What is the Kimberley Process?
It’s an international certification scheme launched in 2003 to stop the trade of conflict diamonds. The idea is simple: only diamonds shipped with official certificates can enter the global market, though enforcement isn’t perfect.
Can you visit active gold or diamond mines?
Can you visit active gold or diamond mines?
Yes—though options are limited. Nevada offers public lands open to recreational panning. In Botswana, the tourism board runs guided tours of the Jwaneng mine. Canada’s Diavik Diamond Mine also offers summer tours in the remote Northwest Territories.
Are diamonds rarer than gold?
Are diamonds rarer than gold?
Diamonds are harder to find in mineable concentrations, but that doesn’t mean they’re automatically “rarer.” Gold is scarce in the crust, too—you just need to process a lot more rock to get a gram of either one.
How much gold is left in the ground?
How much gold is left in the ground?
Current estimates put remaining gold reserves at about 54,000 metric tons. At today’s mining rates, that gives us roughly 17 more years before we’ve pulled out most of what’s left.
What’s the environmental impact of mining these resources?
What’s the environmental impact of mining these resources?
Both gold and diamond mining leave deep scars. Open pits chew up landscapes, chemicals like cyanide pollute water, and energy use for extraction is massive. That said, stricter regulations and better technology have cut some of the worst damage in places like Canada and Botswana.
How are diamonds used beyond jewelry?
How are diamonds used beyond jewelry?
Diamonds aren’t just pretty—they’re tough. Because they’re the hardest natural material, they’re used in cutting tools, drill bits, and even high-performance electronics. Their heat conductivity also makes them useful in certain industrial lasers.
Why does gold hold its value over centuries?
Why does gold hold its value over centuries?
Gold’s value comes from a mix of rarity, durability, and universal acceptance. Unlike paper money, it doesn’t corrode or lose its luster. Central banks and investors still see it as a safe bet when markets get shaky.
USGS • Nature • Kimberley Process
Is gold a natural resource?
Gold is primarily found as the pure, native metal . Sylvanite and calaverite are gold-bearing minerals. Gold is usually found embedded in quartz veins, or placer stream gravel. It is mined in South Africa, the USA (Nevada, Alaska), Russia, Australia and Canada.
What are the 7 natural resources?
Oil, coal, natural gas, metals, stone and sand are natural resources. Other natural resources are air, sunlight, soil and water. Animals, birds, fish and plants are natural resources as well.
Are diamonds considered a natural resource?
Diamonds are a type of natural resource found within compressed rocks underneath the ground. ... They are considered a non-renewable resource because the kimberlite that the diamond is formed it takes millions of years to reform all the know types of diamond after their use.
What type of resource are gold and diamonds?
Heavy minerals like gold, diamond, and magnetite of the same size as a low density mineral like quartz will be deposited at a higher velocity than the quartz, thus the heavy minerals will be concentrated in areas where water current velocity is low. Mineral deposits formed in this way are called placer deposits.
What are 20 natural resources?
- asbestos.
- bauxite.
- borax.
- coal.
- copper.
- diamonds.
- fresh water.
- gold.
What is the most used natural resource?
Water . Without a doubt, water is the most abundant resource on the planet. Approximately 72 percent of our planet is covered with water.
What Rocks are diamonds found in?
Diamonds are usually found in igneous rock formations and alluvial deposits . Most diamonds are billions of years old.
Are diamonds a valuable resource?
Although world diamond production has increased significantly worldwide (production has tripled since 1980), diamonds are a scarce resource . Since 1990 there have been around 12,000 kimberlite deposits discovered worldwide, but less than 1% have enough diamonds in them to make them economically viable.
What type of resource are diamonds?
Diamonds are non-renewable resources . Non-renewable resources are those that cannot be easily replenished or replaced.
What is example of diamond?
A diamond is defined as a colorless, very hard, crystalline mineral made of pure carbon, or a figure with four equal sides with small angles on the top and bottom and wider angles on the sides. An example of a diamond is a traditional stone in an engagement ring .
What are the examples of national resources?
ANSWER : National resources are resources which are pertain to the nation and legally, the country has authority to use these resources. Some examples of national resources are wildlife, rivers, forests, canals and areas within the political boundaries etc .
What are the 10 natural resources?
- Water. While the earth may be mostly water, only about 2-1/2 percent of it is freshwater. ...
- Air. Clean air is necessary for the existence of life on this planet. ...
- Coal. Coal is estimated to be able to last less than 200 more years. ...
- Oil. ...
- Natural gas. ...
- Phosphorus. ...
- Bauxite. ...
- Copper.
What is the most scarce resource in the world?
- Water. Freshwater only makes 2.5% of the total volume of the world’s water, which is about 35 million km3. ...
- Oil. The fear of reaching peak oil continues to haunt the oil industry. ...
- Natural gas. ...
- Phosphorus. ...
- Coal. ...
- Rare earth elements.
Which country has the most natural resources?
- Venezuela.
- The United States.
- Brazil.
- Russia.
- India.
- Canada.
- 2: Saudi Arabia.
- 1: China.
What are two kinds of natural resources?
Oil, coal, natural gas, metals, stone and sand are natural resources. Other natural resources are air, sunlight, soil and water. Animals, birds, fish and plants are natural resources as well.
