Diamond

About Diamond

The hardest natural substance on Earth - 4x harder than the next hardest mineral (corundum). Formed 150-250 km below the surface under extreme pressure and temperature. The Hope Diamond is cursed - every owner has suffered misfortune. Diamonds are 99.95% carbon. The largest ever found was the Cullinan Diamond at 3,106 carats. They were first mined in India 3,000 years ago. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically identical but cost 30-40% less. De Beers controlled 80% of the diamond market for most of the 20th century. The engagement ring tradition was largely a De Beers marketing campaign starting in 1938.