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15 Little-Known Facts About Diamonds (And Carbon)

Diamonds aren’t just a girl’s best friend. In fact, there’s a lot more to diamonds than meets the eye. We’re going to share some incredible facts about diamonds so you can dazzle your friends and family with information while showing off your new diamond earrings

So, for cool and interesting facts about diamonds, keep reading...

amazing facts about diamonds

Overview:

  • How diamonds are found on earth
  • Diamonds in history
  • The largest diamond ever discovered
  • Industrial uses for diamonds
  • The beauty of diamonds

15 Cool And Interesting Facts About Diamonds

1. Diamonds are a form of carbon
The other type of carbon is graphite. 

2. Diamonds are made through volcanic eruptions
Diamonds form in the lower mantle and the volcanic eruption needs to occur with such a force that it pushes them upwards to the earth’s surface (or "crust"), where the technology that we have today can extract them. We do this using kimberlite shafts. Every diamond mine in the world is located around one of those.

3. Diamonds are also found in cosmic debris
Yes, that means it could literally rain diamonds

4. Diamonds can also be man-made in a lab
Today, it’s possible to grow diamonds from a diamond seed in a laboratory. This is one of our favourite facts about diamonds. More on this later.

5. The ancient Egyptians loved diamonds
Diamonds were adored even in ancient times. We know this because they have been mentioned in Egyptian hieroglyphics.

6. The Romans used diamond for carving shells
Because diamond is the hardest natural substance on earth, it is ideal for carving, cutting and polishing. The ancient Romans knew this. They carved cameos into shells using diamond and exported them to China.

7. The Chinese used diamond for carving jade
The entire jade industry has diamond to thank for its existence. 

jade carving8. The Chinese also used diamond for skewing pearls
The pearl industry was created by the Chinese who tipped drill bits with diamond in order to skewer pearls.

9. The Regent diamond lived in the French crown jewels
In 1701, the Regent diamond (pictured below), which was found in India, was put into the French crown jewels. It later ended up in the hilt of Napoleon's sword, but it’s now on display at the Louvre.

facts about diamonds - the Regent diamond was once part of Napolean's sword

10. The largest jewel diamond is in the British crown jewels
This is one of those facts about diamonds that everyone wants to know… What is the largest diamond ever found?

The largest diamond ever found is the Cullinan diamond; it had over 3000 carats. The actual size of the Cullinan diamond was about the same as a Big Mac, which is a bit too big to wear! So it was chopped up and, out of that, came the largest jewel quality diamond ever made. It is 530 carats and currently in the British Crown Jewels, which is well worth a visit if you’re ever in London and you love diamond jewellery!

facts about diamonds - the cullinan diamond is the largest gem-quality diamond ever found and was broken and shaped into several large diamonds now in the British crown jewels

11. Diamond is used in astronomy
Telescopes need to have a really well-ground lens. The way that they achieve that is by polishing lenses with diamond paste (made of diamond dust).

12. Diamond is also used in medical surgery
Diamond has long been used for carving, but today, through a technique called chemical vapour deposition, you can actually grow a thin layer of diamond onto the cutting edge of a scalpel.

13. When we look at diamonds, we’re in love
We can see through MRI scanning that the same part of your brain lights up when you look at a diamond, as when you’re in love. You could say, we’re hardwired to love diamonds!

14. Your dream diamond could cost you 3 months salary!
According to De Beers, 3 months salary is what it would cost to get the diamond engagement ring of your dreams. However, this has been shown time and again to be an outdated marketing ploy. Shiels believes in making diamonds affordable. That’s why our lab-grown diamonds are so popular! They’re real, quality diamonds, and often cheaper than their mined equivalents.

15. Humans can now be made into diamonds
And finally - possibly the greatest fact about diamonds ever - is that today, humans (or pets) can be made into diamonds. 

How is this possible? Well, 18% of the human body is carbon. After you die, all the other molecules are separated out so that only carbon remains. Then you’re put into a pressure chamber and condensed under five Giga Pascal's, heated up to 1500 degrees and after a week, you become a diamond.

How magical is that?!

So, the next time you browse for diamond rings or a diamond necklace, remember the remarkable journey they’ve had to get there and all the other amazing things those sparkly little gems can do. No wonder diamond jewellery make us feel fabulous. To find out more about diamonds, you can also check out our Managing Director Toby Bensimon's Ted Talk. 

More About Diamonds:

     ★ Diamond Buyers Guide
     ★ Diamond Types Guide
     ★ Diamond Cut Guide
     ★ Diamond Glossary
     ★ How To Care For Diamonds
     ★ What Are Diamonds Used For (Besides Jewellery)?
     ★ Why Are Diamonds So Expensive & Why Do We Love Them?
     ★ A Look Into: Australian Diamonds
     ★ What is the April birthstone?
     ★ Trend Report: A Look Into Celebrity Diamonds

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