Diamonds are highly sought after and adored all over the world, and for very good reasons. They are gorgeous and exclusive, and their beauty and sparkle are unmatched among gemstones. And as it turns out, diamonds are also incredibly interesting. Here are some of the most interesting diamond facts about these luxurious stones.

• The majority of the world’s diamonds come from South Africa, Russia, and Canada, but it wasn’t always this way. Before the 17th century, most diamonds came from India. 
• Diamonds take billions of years to form and are thought to be as old as the Earth itself. Most diamonds are formed about 100 miles below the Earth’s surface and are brought upward with volcanic activity, after which they are then mined. 
• While diamonds are primarily made up of carbon, when other elements are present during the formation of the stones, they may end up being a different color. These are known as fancy-colored diamonds, and they can be pink, yellow, red, green, blue, brown, black, orange, or even purple.
• More diamonds are used for commercial and industrial purposes than in jewelry. Around 80% of mined diamonds aren’t suitable for jewelry, but they quickly find their place in tools and equipment, including drill bits, saw blades, and grinders used in cutting and drilling.
• The United States has the largest market for diamonds, and around 90% of all diamonds that come into the U.S. go through NYC’s Diamond District first. 

Interesting facts about diamonds are great, but diamonds are also fun! Check out these fun diamond facts to use on your next trivia night or impress your friends at your next gala.

• People in ancient Rome and Greece thought that diamonds were either tears cried by the gods or pieces of stars that had fallen to Earth. Some Romans also thought that Cupid’s arrow had diamond tips, which is likely the first connection between love and diamonds. 
• The word “diamond” stems from the Greek word “adamas,” meaning invincible. This is appropriate since diamonds are the hardest natural substance known to man.
• Diamonds were often used in the eyes of devotional statues by ancient Hindus. They also believed that when a person wore diamonds, they would be protected from danger. 
• Many ancient civilizations believed that wearing diamonds brought about strength and courage to their wearer. Because of this, many kings wore diamonds on their armor.
• The first-ever diamond engagement ring is thought to be from 1477 when Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a gold ring to Mary of Burgundy. The ring featured an “M” made out of diamonds.
• In 2004, astronomers discovered a planet made up almost entirely of carbon (the same primary component of diamonds), and it is believed that around one-third of this planet is entirely pure diamonds!

Interesting Facts About Natural Diamonds

Whether you’re shopping for a diamond engagement ring, celebrating your April birthstone with a diamond pendant necklace, or just admiring the timeless look of diamond jewelry, Roman Malakov is here for you. One fun fact about diamonds is that there are two kinds: natural diamonds and man-made diamonds. 

You might be wondering, what is a natural diamond? Man-made diamonds are made in a lab, while natural diamonds come from the earth. Natural diamonds are real diamonds that were created literally billions of years ago, and no two diamonds are exactly the same. This popular gem has been around for centuries and yet we are still learning interesting facts about diamonds to this day. 

Here are some additional cool and interesting diamond facts.

Facts About Natural Diamonds

Here are some facts about diamonds that may surprise you:

•   Natural diamonds were created deep inside the earth billions of years ago
•   Diamonds are made up of a single element: carbon
•   Diamonds can only be scratched by other diamonds
•   Diamond is the birthstone for people born in April
•   The 60th and 75th wedding anniversaries are known as diamond anniversaries
•   The largest diamond in the world is known as the Cullinan diamond
•   Man-made diamonds are designed to look identical to natural diamonds
•   New York City is one of the most popular places to buy and sell diamonds

Where Do Diamonds Come From?

Natural diamonds were formed at least 1 billion years ago by the heat and pressure inside the earth. Diamonds were created around a hundred miles below Earth’s surface and can be brought closer to the surface because of volcanic activity. This type of geologic activity means the diamonds in your jewelry likely once spent time inside the large chunks of molten rock near an underground volcano. Diamonds are mined in most parts of the world, though they were first found in India, then Brazil, Russia, and South Africa.

Diamonds only form between 80 and 120 miles deep beneath Earth’s surface and in extremely hot temperatures, typically around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Over time, volcanic eruptions and geologic activity bring these diamonds closer to the surface inside of rocks. Diamonds are mined from these rocks and then used in a variety of ways, including industrial, medical, and jewelry-making. However, not all diamonds are mined deep below the earth. Black diamonds are typically found in streams and running water, though mystery still surrounds how and where they are formed.  

The 4 Cs of Natural Diamonds

You may have heard about the 4 Cs of a diamond, but do you know why they matter? The 4Cs influence not only the price of the diamond but also tell you more about the story of the diamond itself.

The first of the four Cs is “Cut” and is arguably the most important. That’s because the cut of the diamond impacts its brilliance and beauty. One interesting fact about diamonds is that the cut doesn’t actually refer to the shape of the diamond. Instead, the cut of the diamond is how the diamond is cut by a jeweler. Diamonds that are cut more precisely will have a higher grade and more sparkle.

The next of the four Cs is “Color.” You might be wondering what color diamonds are because the only ones you’ve seen seem crystal clear. But in fact, natural diamonds can come in all colors. Many mined diamonds have a yellow or brown tint to them, and the color of the diamond is graded on how little color is actually present. A colorless diamond will seem crystal clear and get the highest rating.

“Clarity” is the third of the Cs and refers to a diamond’s purity. Clarity is graded by how many blemishes or inclusions a diamond has and is sometimes known as the cleanliness of the diamond. When you look into a diamond, the tiniest of specks or blemishes can affect how light passes through it, which impacts its sparkle and brilliance factors. Another interesting fact about diamonds is that when people refer to a diamond as “flawless,” this actually refers to the diamond’s clarity.

The final C is “Carat” and refers to the weight of the diamond. Many people think the carat refers to the size of the diamond, but the weight of the diamond can be different than the size, depending on how the diamond is cut.

Colorful and Colorless Natural Diamonds

For many, the most surprising, interesting facts about diamonds have to do with color. You may be surprised to learn that diamonds can come in a wide range of colors, including blue, red, and pink. While light yellow diamonds are more common, colorless diamonds are the rarest of all. Colorless diamonds are highly coveted for their impeccable quality, color, and clarity. Certain shapes of diamonds may impact the color of the diamond as well. For example, round diamonds tend to be cut in a way that enhances a nearly colorless diamond.

Colorful diamonds can come in an unlimited variety of colors based on how they formed inside the earth all those billions of years ago. Trace chemicals like nitrogen made their way into these carbon diamonds and caused different colors and saturation. Red and blue diamonds are almost as rare as colorless diamonds, and they can even cost as much or more than a colorless diamond.

The Physical Makeup of Diamonds

Some interesting facts about diamonds include their physical makeup. Natural diamonds are made from molten rock deep inside the earth billions of years ago. It likely took millions of years for carbon to become a diamond and be formed with the earth’s pressure and extremely high temperatures. On the other hand, diamonds that are man-made are grown in a laboratory and can be made in as little as one month.

Man-made diamonds, also known as lab-grown diamonds, include the same physical and chemical characteristics as natural diamonds, namely carbon. These man-made diamonds are created using a tiny piece of natural diamond and then grown in a laboratory setting that mimics the heat and pressure of the earth. While lab-grown diamonds are much easier to produce, they are typically not as highly valued as natural diamonds.

Three Historic Diamonds

Some of the most interesting facts about diamonds involve the stories behind the gems. The Cullinan diamond, for example, was found in 1905 in South Africa and weighed over 3,000 carats. Eventually, this large diamond was cut into over 100 smaller-sized diamonds, all keeping the exceptional clarity and color of the original. The two largest cuts of the Cullinan diamond are now part of the British crown jewels collection.

The Hope diamond is another famous diamond known for its dark blue-gray color and brilliant cut. This diamond was originally over 100 carats before it was cut to its current weight of 45 carats. While perhaps one of the most well-known gems in the world, it is also said to be cursed. It is currently housed in the Smithsonian Institution.

The Uncle Sam diamond weighs over 40 carats and is the largest diamond to ever be found in the United States. Discovered in 1924, the Uncle Sam diamond was found in Murfreesboro, Arkansas - an area that has now been turned into the world’s only dig-for-free diamond mine open to the public.

The Value of Natural Diamonds

The value of a diamond is determined by the 4 Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat. Natural diamonds are also valued for their uniqueness and rarity. Because natural diamonds are not mass-produced, they have a greater value and a strong resale value. 

Mass-produced lab-grown diamonds are still new to the market, so they have not yet demonstrated their ability to withstand the test of time like natural diamonds. Meanwhile, natural diamonds are the most popular gemstone for engagement rings and have been for hundreds of years, which increases their value and price.

Diamonds are such a timeless treasure and have been valued for thousands of years. Whether you are looking for a gem that will withstand the test of time or will last through the style changes to come, check out our fine selection of natural diamonds. 

At Roman Malakov, we carry loose stones in addition to diamond stud earrings, engagement rings, wedding bands, bracelets, necklaces, and more. Shop online now or schedule a consultation for more information on diamonds at Roman Malakov in New York City.