Alluvial diamonds are diamonds that have been eroded from their original source and deposited in locations like river beds. There are two main types of alluvial diamond mining: formal/industrial mining done by large companies using heavy machinery to extract diamonds, and artisanal/small-scale informal mining done by individuals using basic tools. Several initiatives aim to help the millions of people engaged in small-scale mining by addressing issues like working conditions, fair pricing, and formalization.