Rolling out 12 fascinating conceptions about diamonds or diamond facts that you would not believe are true…
Posted by Hari Krishna
March 3, 2021
Diamonds are a treasured gift of mother nature. Excelling through the ages, diamonds have always been a mysterious wonder for mankind, in addition to being an epitome of beauty and rarity.
To research and study more about such sparkling gemstones, the dedicated branch of science – gemology was developed somewhere around the mid 19th century.
With mathematical precision and scientific evolution, humans have unveiled so many interesting things about the diamond origin, structure, and history that are unknown to the masses.
Here we are with 12 such fascinating and interesting facts about diamonds that very few people know.
Trail #1 – Origin of the word diamond
The word diamond comes from the Greek word – Adamas, meaning invincible/indestructible, or the Latin word – Adamare, meaning to love passionately.
Receiving the name diamond is a tribute to its characteristics of being the hardest known natural substance.
Trail #2 – For diamonds, age is just a number (like literary)
It is incredible to discover that diamonds traced back to approximately 3.3 billion years ago, while the planet earth is almost 45 billion years old.
Carbon dating tells us that the youngest diamond that exists today is around 107 million years old, which is way much older than the dinosaur extinction (which is about 65 million years ago).
So we can agree on the fact that diamonds are the oldest thing one can ever possess.
Trail #3 – Deep under the ground so low, like a diamond in the rock
Natural diamonds are formed 90 to 120 miles beneath the ground under immense pressure and temperature, brought up on the surface due to volcanic eruptions.
The first diamond was mined somewhere around 3000 years ago in India, followed by Brazil. It is contrary to what most people think that diamonds come from Africa.
Today major diamond mines are available in Australia, Botswana, Canada, Russia, South Africa, etc.
Trail #4 – There is a place where anybody can mine diamonds
Yes, a mine called the Crater Diamond State Park in Arkansas, USA, is open to all people. This mine spreads over a 37-acre area on the eroded surface of a diamond kimberlite pipe.
This mine is not rich enough in terms of diamond quality and carat, so economically not viable for commercial mining. However, it has produced several large and notable diamonds, including 40.23 carat Uncle Sam diamond.
Over hundreds of thousands of people visit this mine every year, and for a small fee, they can hunt for diamonds and keep anything they find to themselves.
Trail #5 – How did the term carat-weight have emerged?
We all know that diamonds are weighted in terms of carats, but do we know why? The word carat derives from the name of the seeds of the tree Carob – Carob beans because of their uniform size.
It means that the equal number of these seeds weigh the same, no matter the place they are collected. So, ancient traders used these seeds as reliable standards to weigh precious gems.
A stone balancing evenly against three carob seeds would be said to weigh three carobs, which is now called three carats. According to the current metric system, one carat is equal to 0.2 grams.
Trail #6 – Diamond structure and composition
Diamonds are of 100% carbon. Under immense heat and pressure, carbon atoms bond in a way that results in the rare crystalline structure – diamond.
Besides, the surface of a natural diamond is hydrophobic & lipophilic. It means the diamond surface can not be wet by water but gets wet & stuck by oil.
Trail #7 – Diamond hardness and durability
Diamonds are the hardest natural substance known to the world and are 58 times harder than the 2nd hardest mineral.
They are so hard that the only thing that can cut a diamond is another diamond. However, specific materials can scratch a diamond.
You might be surprised to know that a 30-carat diamond can withstand the weight-pressure of the empire state building in NY city.
To analyze the atmosphere on the venus, the diamond used in the US spacecraft window. As only diamonds can endure the atmospheric pressure in the space while ensuring transparency.
Trail #8 – Diamond x-factor
Diamond mines are extremely hard to find. It was 20 years ago when a new diamond mine was discovered. Even after discovery, only 50 active diamond mines are commercially viable.
Additionally, of all the rough diamonds mined, only 30% are durable and aesthetically suitable (gem-quality) to embed in the jewellery.
The rest, 70%, are used in industrial equipment and processes. These are the reasons why diamonds are rare and becoming rarer.
Trail #9 – Texture of natural rough diamonds
Natural rough diamonds are commonly in an octahedron shape (which looks like two pyramids joined back to back) – a perfect geometric symmetry, untouched for over a billion years.
In contrast to popular beliefs, not all diamonds are colorless. They can be of all rainbow-colors, including brown, blue, green, orange, red, pink, black, etc.
Trail #10 – Diamond cutting and polishing
The rough diamond undergoes rigorous cutting and polishing, which strips off almost 50% of its (rough) carat-weight. The fabulous trademark of the diamond – its sparkle, can only be achieved through this process.
Hence, Only one in every million diamonds weighs one carat or more. Three-carat diamonds are even rarer. Only 1 in 15 million diamonds will weigh 3 carats or more.
Trail #11 – Diamond inclusions
Just like humans, diamonds also contain birthmarks. Yes, it is called diamond inclusion. Like our thumbprint, each diamond inclusion is unique.
Most people might believe that diamond inclusions are not attractive. In reality, they serve as proof of it being a natural diamond.
Trail #12 – Diamonds do good
The global diamond industry provides livelihood to over 10 million people. It notably contributes to the social welfare activities, e.g., establishing and releasing the funds in educational institutions, healthcare institutions, NGOs, etc.
The South African economy majorly depends on diamond mining and trading. Diamond discovery in Botswana transformed the country from being one of the poorest to the middle-income group.
From the environmental perspective, neither (natural) diamond mining nor (natural) diamond polishing leaves more carbon footprints than synthetic diamond production.
One of the most dazzling and timeless gifts from mother nature – DIAMONDS, seam more alluring and enticing than ever by learning these incredible facts.
However, there are many more things about diamonds that still wonder the gemologists. Maybe this could be the reason that there is no replacement out there for natural diamonds.
What are you waiting for?
