- Diamonds have huge cultural significance as the most precious and rare gemstone in the world. They are notoriously hard to find, and their rarity adds to their value. Diamonds are also symbolic (especially in western countries) as symbols of love and marriage. Diamond engagement rings are extremely popular, and the evidence of diamond engagement rings traces back to the late middle ages.
- There are several different types of diamonds, including different colored rare diamond. Most diamonds are colorless, and are referred to as white diamonds. However, yellow, or canary, diamonds are formed when there are chemical impurities like nitrogen in the diamonds. Diamonds can turn blue or purple if there is some boron corrupting the diamond. The least common color variation is green, which occurs when diamonds are exposed to radiation.
- Because the conditions in which diamonds are formed remains a mystery, it is impossible to know how long it takes for a diamond to form naturally. Scientists and geologists have estimates that diamonds can take from several thousands to millions of yeas to form, depending on changing heat and pressure conditions.
- A diamond's size is measured by weight in carat units. A single carat is defined a 200 milligrams of mass. Diamonds are generally cut to standard carat size, and the point system is used for "in between" measurements. The largest known diamond in the world is the Excelsior, which measured 995 carats before it was cut.
- It is important to buy diamonds as well as other precious gems from an authorized jeweler. There are many fraudulent diamond websites and organizations who will sell you look-alike or sub-standard diamonds. It is also very important to make sure any diamonds you purchase are "conflict-free." This means that they are not from mines run by revolutionary political organizations to finance terror operations.
