The diamond.It’s beautiful and rare. It looks great on your finger, pinned to your ear, dangling from your wrist or hung from your neck. But what do you really know about diamonds besides that they’re pretty looking gemstones often used in engagement rings? If you’re interested in learning more about diamonds, then read on for 12 interesting facts about them.
The Word
What’s in a name? Well, “adamant” if the name is “diamond.” Yes, the word diamond comes from the Greek word for adamant, which is a reference to the stones’ steadfastness. Though diamonds aren’t quite indestructible, they are comprised of an extremely hard material.
The Discovery
It was sometime around 800 BC when diamonds were first discovered in India. The subcontinent would continue to lead the world in diamond production all the way until the middle of the 18th century. It was then that the first non-Indian diamonds were found in Brazil. Since then, diamond extraction from primary deposits began in the 1870s in South Africa, which caused a rapid increase in production, and a grand total of about 4,500,000,000 carats have been mined to date as a result.
Engagement Rings
Of course, it wasn’t like they came out of the ground in 800 BC and were immediately given as engagement rings. No, it wasn’t until 1477 when the Archduke Maximillian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy a gold ring with a diamond setting as a token of his love for her that the tradition of diamond engagement rings was born.
Ring Finger
Today, women wear their engagement rings proudly on the third finger of their left hand. Why? The practice might trace all the way back to ancient cultures that believed the third finger on the left hand had a special vein in it called the Vena Amoris. It was believed that this “vein of love” ran directly to the heart.
On the Right
It would seem that not everyone in the world bought into this belief, however. While countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and France traditionally have the betrothed wear their rings on their left hands, it’s not so in some other countries. In nations like Russia, Germany and India, anyone who’s engaged wears their engagement ring on their right hand.
Age
Although it may have taken man a while to find them, diamonds have been in existence for a very, very long time. The youngest diamond in existence is 900 million years old. The youngest! Most diamonds were formed billions of years ago under incredible heat and pressure when diamond-bearing ore surfaced thanks to volcanic eruptions. Magma from the eruptions cooled and solidified deep underground, where precious rough diamonds are still found today.
Time to Give
What’s the most popular time to give engagement rings? About one month from now on Valentine’s Day, right? Well, no, actually. It’s true that Valentine’s Day is one of the biggest days for jewelry vendors, but December is actually the most popular time of the year for engagements.
Shine
How can you tell if a diamond ring is the real thing? There are a few different methods utilized by experienced gemologists, but one way to do so is to shine an ultraviolet light on the stone. If it glows in the dark for a few seconds, it’s a diamond.
Grading
The IGI and GIA are two of the most respected diamond grading labs in existence. The grades that they assign to diamonds supposedly allow buyers to know precisely what they are getting. However, some experts question the validity of these grades. While most would agree that they give the buyer a decent idea of what they are getting and that the IGI and GIA are reputable graders, the grades they assign are still just opinions. That’s why it’s crucial to ensure whomever you buy from has a stellar reputation for providing customers with good quality stock and can guarantee the quality of its gemstones.
Most Popular Cut
The round, brilliant cut is the most popular shape of diamond. This is because the shape tends to show off the diamond extremely well. In other words, rounder stones tend to have major “wow” factor.
The Big One
Though there are more expensive diamond rings in history – such as a $10.8 million pink ring once sold by Christie’s – the most expensive one ever given as an engagement ring is the De Beers Platinum Diamond Ring. This nine-carat beauty is worth $1.83 million.
Something a Bit More Modest
Naturally, such a ring isn’t quite feasible for most of us. The average diamond carat weight in engagement rings is 0.37 carats. And another beautiful alternative that many are turning to are high-quality cubic zirconia engagement rings. These gorgeous stones, set in 14k and 18k white or yellow gold bands, are perfect for those looking for something more affordable or a second ring to wear while traveling.