How are diamonds formed?
They need billions of years, hellish pressure, and a volcanic elevator ride.
The answer
Most natural diamonds formed 1 to 3 billion years ago at depths of 150 to 200 kilometers inside the Earth's mantle, where temperatures exceed 1,000°C and pressures reach 50,000 atmospheres. Under these extreme conditions, carbon atoms are forced into an incredibly strong tetrahedral crystal structure. Diamonds are then carried to the surface rapidly by deep volcanic eruptions through narrow pipes called kimberlites. If the ascent is too slow, the diamond converts back to graphite - ordinary pencil lead.
Source: Gemological Institute of America
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