Diamonds in the deep: How gems are mined from the bottom of the ocean

Photos: How diamonds are mined from the Atlantic seabed

In Namibian waters off the west coast of Southern Africa, enormous mining vessels suck diamonds from the seabed.

Hide Caption

1 of 15

Photos: How diamonds are mined from the Atlantic seabed

These ships operated by Debmarine Namibia mine 24 hours a day, 365 days a year within a 2,300 square mile area — just under half the size of Jamaica.

Hide Caption

2 of 15

Photos: How diamonds are mined from the Atlantic seabed

Since operations began in 2002, Debmarine Namibia has extracted nearly 16 million carats of marine diamonds from the ocean.

Hide Caption

3 of 15