10 Little Known Facts About Diamonds Worth Knowing

Diamonds are the most studied gemstones on Earth, yet many of their secrets stay hidden from the people who wear them. In Hatton Garden, EC1N, London's historic diamond quarter, customers handle these little-known diamond facts every day without realising how strange the stone in their ring really is. From volcanic origins to industrial saw blades, the diamond is far more than a romantic symbol. If the science behind the sparkle interests you, browsing the diamonds sold around Greville Street and Leather Lane is a good place to start. Here are 10 facts that put the gem in perspective.

Born from fire and pressure

Diamonds are not fireproof, though they resist heat far better than most materials. They will only burn at roughly 700 degrees Celsius, a temperature no ordinary fire reaches.

Most natural diamonds are between 1 and 3 billion years old. They were carried towards the surface by violent volcanic eruptions long before humans existed, which is why mining them is such a deliberate, geological pursuit.

Bigger and stranger than you think

The largest rough diamond ever found weighed about 3,106 carats, a single stone heavy enough to be cut into several famous gems. Finds on that scale are vanishingly rare.

Diamonds also exist far beyond Earth. Astronomers have identified distant planets thought to be rich in carbon, where graphite and diamond may form a large part of the surface. For now, the only diamonds you can hold come from this planet, certified by the GIA or IGI.

Far more than a gemstone

Around 70% of mined diamonds are not gem quality at all and instead go to industry. Their extreme hardness makes them ideal for saw blades and drills that cut through rock, brick and concrete.

India was the world's only source of diamonds until the 18th century, and the country's history is closely tied to the trade. Today, ashes can even be compressed into memorial diamonds, turning carbon from a loved one into a lasting gem. Whatever draws you in, the London Assay Office and a proper gemmological certification separate fact from marketing near Chancery Lane and Farringdon stations.

Fun fact: The word diamond comes from the Greek adamas, meaning unbreakable, even though a diamond can in fact be cleaved along its grain.