Diamond Fun Facts

How much do you know about diamonds? Test your knowledge here and check off all the diamond fun facts you know. Post your score in the comments section as well as the fact you found most interesting!

1. 1. 1. Diamonds are made of a single element – they are nearly 100% carbon.
      2. Diamonds come in different colors – the most popular colored diamonds are yellow (“canary” diamonds) and brown (“chocolate” diamonds)
      3. Diamond is the hardest natural substance on earth.
      4. Diamonds are over a billion years old
      5. Diamonds come from the Greek word Adamas, which means extreme hardness, or unconquerable.
      6. The ancient Greeks thought diamonds were splinters from the stars, that had fallen to earth, and some believed were tears from God.
      7. Around 30% of the diamonds mined worldwide are gem-quality.
      8. Diamond is the hardest (not toughest) gem.
      9. Diamond is the birthstone for April.
      10. Diamond is the 60^th Wedding Anniversary gem.
      11. The first known use of a diamond engagement ring took place in 1477, when Archduke Maxmillian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy a gold ring featuring an M spelled out in diamonds.
      12. The “Star of Africa” – or the Cullinan Diamond, is the largest diamond in the world and is 3,106 carats. This diamond is part of the British crown jewels Imperial State Crown and is on display at the Tower of London.
      13. The worlds most expensive diamond named after its former owner, the late Sir Philip Oppenheimer, sold for $57.5 million at Christie’s Geneva, making it the most expensive diamond ever sold at an auction!
      14. America buys more than 40% of the world’s gem quality diamonds – making it the world’s largest diamond market.
      15. The Hope Diamond was originally 112 carats before being cut to its present weight of 45.52 carats. It is probably the world’s most legendary gem, arrived at its present home at the Smithsonian Institution on November 10, 1958 via the U.S. mail – registered first class!

So there you have it. How many of the 15 diamond fun facts did you know? How do you compare to others?

Melissa Miner is a Graduate Gemologist from the G.I.A, one of the most recognized titles in the diamond industry. They are trusted experts for accurately identifying and grading the unique characteristics of diamonds and colored gemstones. Melissa has logged over 20,000 hours of live TV in the home shopping industry! She has a broad product category adeptness, but her favorite is the jewelry category presenting exquisite gemstones and diamonds.