...Diamonds Aren’t Just a Girl’s Best Friend...

DIAMONDS AREN'T JUST A GIRL'S BEST FRIEND BUT RATHER ADORED BY EVERYONE!.. "Over the centuries the diamond acquired unique status as the ultimate gift of love, in myth and reality. It is the hardest known substance yet has the simplest chemical composition, consisting of crystallized carbon , the chemical element that is fundamental to all life." -Marijan Dundek, author 130 million carats 92% (26 tonnes) Diamonds are precious gemstones, revered for their brilliancy and prismatic colors. Annual global rough diamond production 92% is cut & polished in Surat, India Besides their beauty, diamonds are also known for their extreme hardness. IN FACT the DIAMOND is the hardest natural substance found on the earth! Did You Know? Adamas The word "diamond" originates from the Greek word, "Adamas," which translates into "unconquerable" and "indestructible." Diamonds Are Defined by the 4 "Cs" Carat Clarity Color Cut The finest quality as per color grading is totally colorless, and graded'as "D" Measures internal defects ("inclusions") of a diamond the final workmanship in which a diamond has been shaped and polished into a gem Determines the mass of a diamond "No pressure, no diamonds." Formation of Diamonds - Thomas Carlyle, Scottish philosopher Diamonds are crystals of pure carbon that form under: crushing pressure & extreme heat JUST HOW HOT? 2000° -3000° F! Diamond formations begin in the Earth's mantle,reaching depths between 75 and 120 miles beneath the earth's surface! Most diamonds found in nature are between 1-3 BILLION YEARS OLD! Did You Know? Diamond crystals are brought closer to the earth's surface through volcanic activity. Love Factoids? These Are a 'Cut' Above the Rest 5 million people worldwide have 2. 10 million people worldwide 'are directly or indirectly supported by the diamond industry access to appropriate healthcare, as a result of revenues from diamonds 1. Botswana 3. Diamond revenues enable every child in Botswana to receive free education up to the age of 13. In 2004, astronomer Travis Metcalfe discovered a diamond star that is 10 billion trillion trillion carats. Namibia The diamond mining industry generates over 40% of Namibia's annual export earnings. 6. 4. The Diamond Development Initiative was established to improve the working conditions of artisanal miners. 5. 7. Approximately $8.5 billion worth of díamonds a year come from African countries. Approximately one million people are employed by the diamond industry in India. 9. Africa India 8. The revenue from diamonds is instrumental in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic An estimated 65% of the world's come from African countries. monds Africa Did You Know? Only about 1 in 1 million diamonds are quality one carat stones; 1 in 5 million are 2-carat, and 1 in 15 million are 3-carat. 10. In 1477 the Archduke of Austria gave a diamond to Mary of Burgundy. This was the earliest record of a man, presenting a diamond to a woman! WHY BREAK TRADITION NOW? HERKIMER DIAMOND QUARTZ sources: http://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research-diamond-fun-facts http://www.neatorama.com/2008/12/01/10-facts-about-diamonds-you-should-know/ www.cashforyourgold.com/page/category/jewelry/jewelry-education/facts-about-diamonds/ http://www.diamondfacts.org/ http://www.findfast.org/facts-about-diamond-gemstones.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond http://geology.com/articles/diamonds-from-coal/