Diamonds are a girl's best friend

Here are some interesting facts on diamonds.

diamonds on fire

• The diamond derives its name from the Greek word adamas, meaning unconquerable.

• Diamonds are formed under extreme heat and pressure deep within the earth's crust, and come to the surface through volcanic eruptions.

• Most diamonds found in nature are between one and three billion years old.

• Diamonds are the only gemstones composed of just one chemical element, carbon. Although crystal-clear, it is black when reduced to dust.

• The engagement diamond is worn on the third finger of the left hand, because the ancient Egyptians believed that the vein in that finger ran directly to the heart.

• Coloured diamonds are caused by impurities such as nitrogen (yellow), boron (blue). With red diamonds being due to deformities in the structure of the stone, and green ones being the result of irradiation.

• A green diamond is the rarest. It is not the rarest gemstone, however. That title goes to a pure red ruby.

• Diamonds actually are found in fair abundance; thousands are mined every year. 80% of them are not suitable for jewelry - they are used in industry. Only diamonds of higher clarity are sourced to the jewelry stores.