Did you know that the diamond is steeped in myth for its brilliance and symbolic meaning? To help you learn more about the history of the diamond, here are some of our favorite diamond fun facts thrown in with a bit of lore.
Diamond fun facts are pieces of useful information that go beyond knowledge. They are edutainment, that you can use to stimulate conversation, while learning something interesting. Learning diamond fun facts will be fun to use when you walk into the diamond wholesaler or jewelry store and start peppering the conversation with factoids! Imagine the look on your diamond dealers face when they realize your knowledge!
True Diamond Fun Facts
Diamonds formed around 1 billion years ago, but the oldest diamonds date back 3 billion years. During the eras leading up to the formation of Pangaea, the supercontinent, tectonic shifts separated Pangaea into our current seven continents, on which we now identify diamond mines and sources. But when we refer to the “origin” of any diamond, none of today’s geography, maps, or borders apply.
Diamonds are made of a single element—they are nearly 100% carbon. Their formation starts in the depths of the Earth and very few of these carbon crystals make it to the Earth’s surface. Diamonds are formed naturally from extreme temperatures and pressure beneath the Earth’s crust. Rough diamonds are brought to the Earth’s surface through volcanic activity, and natural diamonds are sourced from all over the world, although most of the supply comes from South Africa, Russia, and Canada.
4Cs Fun Facts
- You can’t judge a diamond’s size by carat weight or by its spread in millimeters. When a diamond is removed from bright lighting, some diamonds will go dark at the edges, making them look smaller than well-cut diamonds of the same size that remain bright from edge to edge.
- Clarity is graded at 10x mag. Zooming in beyond 10x can reveal extremely minute characteristics, even in flawless diamonds. Remember, no two diamonds are alike.
- When you look at a mounted diamond, you are not seeing the color grade it earned at the lab. Gemologists perform D–Z color grading with the diamond upside down, and they look through the side of the gem because that angle permits a neutral view.
- Unlike diamonds in the D–Z range, fancy-colored diamonds are graded while gemologists view them from the top. Diamond cutters use a different strategy for fancy-colored diamonds that keeps light reflecting around inside the stone as long as possible to exaggerate the body color.
Very Interesting Diamond Fun facts
- The ancient Romans and Greeks believed that diamonds were tears cried by the gods or splinters from falling stars. Romans believed that Cupid’s arrows were tipped with diamonds.
- The word diamond derives from the Greek word “adamas,” which means invincible or indestructible.
- Ancient Hindus used diamonds in the eyes of devotional statues and believed that a diamond could protect its wearer from danger.
- Many ancient cultures believed that diamonds gave the wearer strength and courage during battle, and some kings wore diamonds on their armor as they rode into battle.
- During the Middle Ages diamonds were thought to have healing properties able to cure ailments ranging from fatigue to mental illness.
- The first known diamond engagement ring was given in 1477, when Archduke Maxmillian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy a gold ring featuring an M spelled out in diamonds.
- Scientists have discovered a planet that they believe is composed mostly of carbon and is one-third pure diamond! Discovered in 2004, the planet orbits a nearby star in the Milky Way, and is named “55 Cancri e”
- Scientists have discovered a star that is essentially a diamond of ten billion trillion carats. They named the star Lucy after the Beatles song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”
In Conclusion
Did you already know these diamond fun facts, or were they news to you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!
