Important and interesting facts about diamonds

There are many diamond curiosities, as many as stories, legends or incredible scientific data. For a reason, it is the most precious gemstone in history. Its purity and brilliance have captivated humanity for thousands of years.

We tell you 15 diamond curiosities that we are sure you did not know.

The first use of the diamond as an engagement

The first known use of the diamond in an engagement ring was in the year 1477. Archduke Maximilian of Austria presented Mary of Burgundy with a gold ring with a diamond letter M.

How old are the diamonds?

Diamonds are mostly billions of years old. In some cases, more than 3 billion years.

alien diamonds

Not all diamonds found on Earth originated here. A type of diamond known as a carbonate diamond, commonly known as a black diamond, can be found in South America and Africa. The researchers speculate that an asteroid impact around 3 billion years ago could have deposited these diamonds in those regions, although the impact did not directly form them.

Presolar grains in many meteorites found on Earth contain nanodiamonds of extraterrestrial origin, probably formed in supernovae. Scientific evidence indicates that white dwarf stars have a core of crystallized carbon and oxygen. The largest of these found in the universe so far,  BPM 37093, is located 50 light-years away, in the constellation Centaurus.

At what depth do diamonds form?

Diamonds are found at a distance of approximately 160 km underground and come closer to the surface thanks to deep volcanic eruptions.

What is the chemical composition of diamond?

Although it may seem strange, the diamond is made up of a simple element, it is almost 100% carbon. The diamond sometimes has traces of nitrogen that can go up to 0.20% and a very small proportion of foreign elements. It is a gemstone with the simplest composition. They form under the immense pressure and temperature of the depths of the earth

The diamond in antiquity

The ancient Romans and Greeks believed that diamonds were tears of the gods and pieces of fallen stars. The Romans believed that Cupid's arrows were diamond-tipped.

This is perhaps the first relationship between diamonds and love.

Where does the word diamond come from?

The word diamond comes from the Greek Adamas, which means invincible or indestructible.

diamond hardness

Diamond is the hardest natural material known to date (although studies began in 2009 that seem to show that lonsdaleite is  58% harder) where hardness is defined as scratch resistance. This Diamond has a hardness of 10 (the highest hardness) on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Diamond's hardness has been known since ancient times, and as we have seen above, is the source of its name.

The first diamonds in humanity

Diamonds have been admired by humans for thousands of years. There is evidence of the existence of diamond mines and the sale of diamonds in India 400 years before Christ. In the first century after Christ, the Roman Naturalist Pliny, is quoted under his famous phrase:

"The Diamond is the most valuable, not only among precious stones, but among all things in this world."Pliny, Rome. Year 100 AD

Hindus and Diamonds

The ancient Hindus used diamonds in the eyes of their religious statues and believed that wearing a diamond protected one from any danger.

diamonds in war

Many ancient cultures believed that the bearer of diamonds had extra strength and courage during battle. That is why some Kings wore diamonds on their armour when they went to war.

The largest diamond producers in history

The countries that have been the main producers of diamonds have changed over the centuries. The first was the diamonds from India, which dominated the market since the year 1400, reaching the whole world. Indian diamonds were sold in Venice and other European trading centers. In the 1700s the rate at which India found diamonds slowed down, and Brazil became the largest exporter of diamonds until the late 1800s when a huge diamond reserve was found in South Africa.

Today, there are diamond mines in many parts of the planet. The largest exporters are the Congo, Russia and Australia.

What is the biggest diamond?

The largest diamond ever found on earth is known as the Cullinan diamond, which weighed in at an incredible 3,106 carats (603g).

Discovered in 1905 in South Africa, the mine owner and South African leaders donated the diamond to King Edward. The Cullinan diamond was cut into 9 large diamonds and 100 smaller ones. The three largest of those cuts can be seen in the London Tower, as they are on display as part of the crown jewels.

lab diamonds

Lab-created diamonds have been available for a few years now. These have the same chemical structure and have formed by mimicking the pressure and temperature at which they would naturally form. Even professional gemologists cannot tell them apart with the naked eye without using specialized instruments,

The dark side of the diamond

While diamonds have been a material for enjoyment and joy, they also have their dark side. The mining towns that have been exploited for hundreds of years to get more and more diamonds have had long-suffering.

We hope that these 15 diamond curiosities have surprised you.

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