Diamond Facts to Know Did you know that diamonds are composed entirely of just one element? Apart from occasional imperfections, diamonds are composed of 100% carbon. A number of unique and fascinating qualities is the reason for the strange chemical makeup of the amazing gem. Even though diamonds are the hardest substance in the world, it has a secret weakness: Diamonds can be completely evaporated at high enough temperatures. If you were to place a ...
Is There Such a Thing as a Perfect Diamond? Confucius once said: “Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.” As it turns out, he was right! Many fancy, colored diamonds are worth more than their clear, uncolored counterparts–and this coloration is the direct result of a chemical flaw. Though it may not be exactly what Confucius had in mind, flawed diamonds are oftentimes extremely valuable–and many of the world’s most famous diamon...
How are Diamonds Graded? Usually when diamond officials talk about color, they are not referring to blues, greens, or pinks. (Such diamonds do exist, but they are referred to as collectively as “fancy” diamonds.) Rather, diamond “color” is used to refer to how pure the shading of a diamond is. The color of a diamond is typically graded on the following scale: D-F Colorless - Diamonds graded letters D to F are considered to be colorless diamo...
What are Some Types of Diamond Mines? Mining a single diamond of one carat requires over 250 tons of earth to be mined. This incredible statistic reflects the great lengths to which humans will go to acquire the diamond. Although diamonds are mined in over 70 countries spanning the entire globe, more than half the world’s diamonds are mined in Africa–and a large portion of those diamonds are taken from the fascinating process known as alluvial minin...
What is the Process in Which Diamonds Made? A diamond makes an amazing journey to become a ring, necklace, or other piece of jewelry. Here’s a quick rundown of the process: Diamonds formed deep below the surface of the earth under extreme heat and intense pressure. Those diamonds are then either mined from the earth or collected in riverbeds. Diamonds must then be sorted–there is a big difference between industrial-grade diamonds(which make up...
How are Diamonds Used as Tools? In Ancient China, diamonds were not just revered for the beauty. They were also utilized as tools due to their unique and practical physical qualities. Above all else, diamonds were used to sharpen axes and other tools. The first ornamental use of diamonds occurred in ancient India, where diamonds were considered to be of great religious and spiritual value. This was not, however, the first human interaction with diamond...
What are Some Diamond Folklore Beliefs? Humans have treasured diamonds for thousands of years. During this time, many legends and superstitions regarding diamonds have developed. Today, of course, we know that diamonds are formed under immense pressure below the surface of the earth. Here are a few of the most famous beliefs that were once held about diamonds: Diamonds provide strength and courage in war Diamonds shine brighter when the truth is be...
How Are Colored Diamonds Formed? Diamonds are almost exclusively made of carbon. Some of the most breathtaking colored diamonds found in nature have been contaminated by trace amounts of other elements, which gives them their color. For instance, trace amounts of boron give us blue diamonds, and small amounts of nitrogen produce yellow diamonds.Under the intense heat and pressure found deep under the earth’s surface, the atoms bond in a unique way and...
Are Diamonds Strong? Diamonds are a statement of strength and beauty under pressure. How are Diamonds Formed? Diamonds are formed in the mantle of the Earth and are delivered to the Earth's surface by deep-source volcanic eruptions. What are Diamonds Made From? Diamonds are only made up of one element: carbon. When carbon dioxide is buried 100 miles under the Earth's surface and heated to a temperature of 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit, and then s...
When Were Diamonds Sold and Marketed at First? The world’s love affair with diamonds started in India where people gathered the stones from bodies of water and traded them at market as early as fourth century BC. As time passed, Indian diamonds traveled to Western Europe and medieval markets in Venice. By the 1400s, Europe’s wealthiest citizens wore the beautiful gemstones as fashion accessories. After the Indian diamond supply dwindled, the world...
