Ophiolite- hosted diamond is a new occurrence type named in this century. Twenty- one diamond- bearing ophiolites have been discovered in the Tethyan orogenic belt, Ural- Central Asian orogenic belt, Hidaka metamorphic belt and Klamath- Acatlán orogenic belt. This paper overviews the global distribution and geological features of diamond- bearing peridotites and chromitites, and summarizes the mineral assemblage of microdiamonds and other unusual minerals and crustal minerals, systematically reviews four models for the formation of unusual minerals- bearing podiform chromitite in ophiolites. These diamonds associated with other minerals discovered in ophiolites worldwide not only indicate ubiquitous presence of diamond in global ophiolitic peridotites and chromitites, but also prompt researchers to rethink the genesis of ophiolite and chromitites, and tectonic settings of their formation. It is proved that ophiolitic peridotites and chromitites are critical reservoirs of deep- earth minerals, providing natural samples for understanding material components, physical and chemical environments in deep earth, as well as their travel path and deep dynamic process.