Diamonds are like fingerprints – no two are alike! And diamonds themselves are old – almost as old as the Earth itself! When you wear a diamond, not only are you wearing a unique piece of jewelry that is truly unlike any other, but you’re also carrying a piece of the world that has existed for millennia.
Fascinating, isn’t it? We think so, which is why we’re proud to share ten unique and fascinating facts all about these beloved stones!
-
- The only thing that can scratch a diamond is another diamond – That’s right, diamonds are among some of the hardest substances on earth! Impressive!
- Diamonds take millions of years to form – The process starts deep in the Earth and very few of these unique crystals ever made it to the surface. That means diamonds are very rare and valuable!
- Diamonds are legendary – The ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were tears from the gods, whereas the ancient Romans thought they were shards from stars. In mythology, it was believed the Cupid tipped his arrows with diamonds to make his targets fall in love. This may very well be the earliest connection between diamonds and romance!
- Diamonds are indestructible – The word diamond comes from the Greek adamas, meaning invincible. Considering how hard they are, that name makes perfect sense! Some ancient cultures believed that diamonds would protect their wearers in battle.
- Fit for a king – The largest diamond ever discovered was the Cullinan diamond, which weighed 1.33 pounds and was discovered in 1905. The owner of the mine where the diamond came from gave it to England’s King Edward. The diamond was cut into nine large diamonds and 100 smaller ones. Three of the larger diamonds make up part of England’s crown jewels.
- Diamonds in space – The atmosphere of Venus was first viewed through a window on a U.S. spacecraft made of diamonds. It was the only material hard enough to withstand the intense atmospheric pressure.
- Diamonds and dinosaurs – Diamonds are even older than the dinosaurs. The “youngest” diamond is over a billion years old!
- Uncle Sam diamond – The largest diamond ever found in the U.S. was the Uncle Sam diamond, It was discovered in the world’s only diamond mine open to the public, the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas.
- Single element – Diamonds are the only gemstone in the world made exclusively of one element – carbon. They come in all shapes and colors, with the rarest colors being green, blue, orange and red.
- Treasure planet – In 2004 scientists discovered a planet they named 55 Cancri e which they believe is over 1/3rd diamonds. They haven’t yet figured out how to bring that haul back to Earth, though!
- The only thing that can scratch a diamond is another diamond – That’s right, diamonds are among some of the hardest substances on earth! Impressive!
As you can see, diamonds have a great deal of history behind them, and have understandably been treasured for thousands of years. When you own a diamond, you’re not only owning a piece of history, but a piece of the Earth that is a lasting testament to love and devotion.
Visit Valobra Master Jewelers today to see our extensive selection of diamond rings, including engagement rings, necklaces, earrings and more with a variety of unique diamond cuts and colors. Stop in today!