Diamonds at a glance look like little more than small, faceted pieces of glass – transparent and sparkling. They look good on jewelry. However, let’s take a closer look and the true value of diamonds becomes apparent. There’s a reason why dainty diamond rings are the world’s most popular gemstones. Want to know why diamonds are so special? Here, presenting 6 top interesting diamond facts to get you going.
-
Carbon Copies
What is a diamond? Well, the ingredient list is pretty short when you talk about the making. You just need carbon, an element commonly found around. Moreover, a single carbon atom can form chemical bonds with up to four other atoms. However, when they bond tetrahedrally, a rigid, three-dimensional crystal of unmatched hardness is formed.
-
Diamonds Gifted by Volcanoes
For diamonds to travel from the upper mantle to the outer layers of the earth’s crust, they need to hitch a ride through a volcano. However, Kimberlite volcanoes reach far down into the upper mantle. During a kimberlite eruption, diamonds and the surrounding material are explosively pushed to the surface by expanding gasses. Moreover, Kimberlite volcanoes are very rare, and scientists believe that the most recent kimberlite eruption to have occurred was 10 to 20 million years ago.
-
Colorless Misconceptions
Colorless diamonds are generally the most valuable. Moreover, a classic emerald cut diamond ring is available in a range of colors – green, blue, yellow, brown, orange, purple, red, and even black. However, the color of a diamond depends on the inclusion of trace elements within the diamond, or the introduction of other imperfections or impurities during formation.
-
Most Mined Diamonds are not Jewelry Worthy
Thanks to their extreme durability and hardness, diamonds are hard and durable. Additionally, people also use them in a range of industrial applications – cutting, drilling, polishing, etc. However, as a large portion of rough, mined diamonds are unsuitable for jewelry, approximately 80 percent of mined diamonds are put to work as industrial diamonds.
-
Cullinan Diamonds are Outstanding
The Cullinan Diamond, discovered in South Africa in 1905, originally weighed a whopping 3,106.75 carats. It was a part of the British Royal Family. Eventually, it was cut down into nine separate diamonds, with the two largest (Cullinan I and Cullinan II) currently holding places of prominence as part of the Crown Jewels.
-
Losing Weight During Cut Process
A raw diamond is directly not available in the market. However, it takes skillful hands and an eye for detail. The cutting and polishing process has to be perfect to turn a rough diamond into a timeless beauty. Nevertheless, during the cutting and polishing process, a diamond loses up to 50% of its original carat weight. While the diamond may not hold the same weight once done – it definitely displays fire and brilliance, which has become a defining characteristic of the stone.
How long does a diamond take to form underground? Nobody knows that. However, we are aware of the heat and pressure needed. Additionally, the process continues with the help of 725,000 pounds per square inch of pressure, with temperatures of around 22000 °F (1200°C). The carbon atoms bond together correctly instead of just ending up crummy old graphite.
Nobody knows how long it takes diamonds to form in the ground. Moreover, the diamonds mined from the ground are extremely old —as old as the earth itself. The processes involved in creating these diamonds are a bit harder to clock. It takes billions of years for a diamond to grow, or as little as a matter of hours. The processes may not be consistent; environmental conditions could change, a diamond may stop growing for a few million years, and then possibly the process might resume.
Conclusion
It’s time to buy a timeless piece for your loved one? A piece of diamond jewelry captures the passion and fire that drives your relationship with your significant other or loved one, irrespective of the occasion. Invest in a diamond that is unique and one-of-a-kind. Whether it’s engagement rings, diamond necklaces, bracelets, or earrings, we are your go-to experts for anything diamond. Get in touch today for more information or to schedule a consultation.
