What is it about the sparkly, dazzling, captivating diamond that captivates us? Well, we are not alone. For centuries, people all over the world have been enchanted by the mysterious allure of the diamond.
While we know the diamond is the first choice by far for engagement rings, and is stunning in earrings or as a pendant, there’s lots to the luxurious stone’s history that you may have never known. Here are twenty fun and interesting facts about diamonds that you probably never knew.
Diamonds That Made Headlines
- An amazing 19-carat vivid pink rock is currently up for auction and is expected to sell for $50 million.
- Kim Kardashian’s 20-carat sparkler was stolen from a Paris hotel room in 2016. Though she reportedly swore off jewelry, her bling ban didn’t last long!
- There were two diamond rings, and two engagements, on this year’s Bachelor in Paradise.
- An Irish man was recently hospitalized after swallowing a 2.5-carat diamond ring in an attempt to steal it from a jewelry store.
- Meghan Markle recently wore a teardrop necklace on an official visit with Prince Harry causing the designer immediately sell out of the bobble.
- Mariah Carey received the most expensive diamond engagement ring on record, a 35-carat emerald-cut stunner.
History
The resplendent stone cuts a swath a mile wide through the last 2000 years of history.
- The world’s adoration of this sparkling stone began in India, 400 BC. At that time, they were valued simply based on size.
- The tradition of wearing an engagement ring on the left hand’s fourth finger originated in Egypt, when it was believed a person’s “vein of love” ran directly from the heart down to that finger.
- The first diamond actually given as an engagement ring dates back to 1477, when the Archduke Maximilian of Austria fell madly in love with Mary of Burgundy and gifted her with a gold ring with an exquisite “M” formed out of diamonds.
- In the 16th century, the process of diamond faceting was developed. This made the diamond more brilliant and fiery, and quickly grew popular in the use of jewelry
- In the Dark Ages, diamonds were held in high regard for their medicinal power to heal wounds and cure ailments when digested by a sick person.
- For ancient Greeks, these gems were thought to be tears from the gods.
Formation
While we are doubt the benefits of actually eating a diamond, YIKES, there are some hard and fast truths about diamonds that cannot be argued.
- Diamonds are literally billions of years old.
- Diamonds are created in a rainbow of colors, depending on the minerals that are present as it is formed.
- Formed about 100 miles beneath the Earth’s surface, diamonds travel upwards and are eventually accessible to us because of volcanic activity.
Mining and Cutting
While diamonds seem to miraculously appear, perfectly cut, in our jewelry stores, a ton of time goes into finding them, and readying them for jewelry.
- After being mined, diamonds are sorted into three categories, which are gem quality, industry quality, and boart (which is used as an industrial abrasive).
- A diamond will lose approximately half its weight during the cutting and polishing process.
- The United States only has one operating diamond mine, and it is in a state park where tourists can mine for diamonds and keep what they find.
- Diamonds are currently mined in 25 countries around the world, on every continent except Europe and Antarctica.
- In 2017, a Russian company mined a rare pure pink diamond that is nearly 28 carats.
These fun and interesting facts about diamonds show how the diamond’s legacy is long, it’s history wide, and its allure is unmeasured.
Are you in the market for a diamond engagement ring? Talk to one of our experienced jewelry associates to find one that fits your style and budget. Visit Janvier Jewelers or call us at (302) 366-7448 talk to one of our experienced Jewelry Associates to find one that meets both your style and budget. There is surely the perfect one just waiting for you!
