15 Interesting Facts About Diamonds You Probably Didn’t Know

Roman author and naturalist Pliny once said, “Diamond is the most valuable, not only of precious stones, but of all things in this world.” And it is definitely true! Nothing can match a diamond’s brilliance, sparkle, beauty and elegance. However, there is much more to a diamond than its appearance. In this post, let’s discover 15 interesting facts about this exquisite April birthstone that are sure to stun you!

1. The name diamond is derived from the Greek word ‘adamas’, meaning invincible or indestructible.

2. Diamonds are actually older than dinosaurs. Some of the oldest diamonds are said to be formed nearly 4 billion years ago which is way before the existence of dinosaurs.

3. Diamonds are formed more than 100 miles below the ground and are carried to the earth’s surface by deep volcanic eruptions.

4. Diamonds are actually made up of a single element – they are nearly 100% carbon.

5. Diamonds are the hardest natural substance and rank a perfect 10 on the mineral hardness scale. In fact, it takes one diamond to scratch another.

6. Diamonds are literally one in a million. What it means is that nearly 1 million pieces of mined rocks yield around one part of diamond.

7. Diamonds are found in all colors of the rainbow. Natural yellow and brown diamonds are more common than their blue, green and red counterparts.

8. Only 30% of the diamonds mined worldwide are of gem quality. The rest are used for industrial purposes.

9. One unexpected fact about diamonds is that they can burn when heated between temperatures of 1290-1650 degrees Fahrenheit.

10. There is evidence that diamonds were first discovered in India approximately 3000 thousand years ago.

11. The first known use of a diamond engagement ring is dated back to 1477 when Archduke Maximilian of Austria proposed to Mary of Burgundy with a diamond ring.

12. Cullinan diamond weighing a whooping 3,106 carats (ct.) found in South Africa in 1905 is the world’s largest rough quality diamond.

13. Heard about ‘55 Cancri e’? Well, it’s a planet, recently discovered by scientists, that is mainly made of carbon and is said to be one-third pure diamond!

14. Scientists have also discovered a star which is basically a diamond weighing ten billion trillion trillion carats. They have named it Lucy after the popular Beatles song titled “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” 

15. The most amazing fact is that there is only one operating mine in the US where tourists can go, mine their own diamonds and keep it too! It is in a state park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. (Thank us later!)