Everyone knows that diamonds are the hardest natural substance in the world, but there are many things that have to happen to make them this way. This article will look at some diamond facts that you may have never heard before.

The Unique Properties of Diamonds

Diamond is composed of carbon aligned in a cubic crystal form. This four atom form gives diamond its amazing strength. Diamond has an adamantine luster with a high refractive index, 2.42 to be exact. Diamonds are usually known as being almost colorless, but they can come in yellow, brown, blue, green, orange, red and black colorations.

While these diamond facts are interesting, there is far more to this gemstone than its physical properties. One of the least known diamond facts is how old it is. Diamonds may be up to three billion years old and in general are far older than the rock in which they are found. They begin there existence far below the earths surface at a depth of around three hundred and twenty miles.

From there the diamonds are transported to the surface via kimberlite and lampriote pipes. These rock formations form a link between surface rocks and the Earth’s mantle. One of the more unique properties of diamond is that it can burn. It is composed entirely of carbon, and if exposed to enough heat and oxygen it will ignite. It does take a significant amount of heat, around a thousand degrees Fahrenheit, to make this happen. Conversely, a cubic zirconium will not burn.

In addition to the factual information presented above, there are many other diamond facts that are based more in myth and legend than pure scientific fact. Diamonds have been seen as a status symbol throughout history with origins dating back to the pre Christian era. Diamonds throughout history have symbolized purity and invincibility, as evidenced by the origin of the word diamond from the Greek name, adamas, meaning invincibility.

Ultimately, however, these properties come from the physical properties of diamond. Even before science was able to fully analyze the properties of this gemstone, ancient people recognized it for its rarity and incredible toughness. For thousands of years people have recognized that the properties of this rare mineral are exceptional. By reviewing diamond facts one can understand why this gem is so valued and so common for use in jewelry, decoration, and everywhere else to symbolize longevity and wealth.

Diamonds are on the top of most "wish to have" lists. Few are able to buy real diamonds however owing to the prohibitive price tag attached to them. Though the diamonds today are relatively cheaper, they are still out of reach for most of the people.

The solution lies in looking for alternatives. You could set up a fund for buying diamonds and wait until you save enough to be able to buy the one you wanted; you could take a loan and buy it or you could look up the possibility of buying a synthetic diamond instead of the real one at a tiny fraction of the cost of the real one.

What Is A Synthetic Diamond?

Maybe you do not know it as a synthetic diamond. What about American diamond or Zirconia or CZ (Cubic Zirconia)? This diamond is not an imitation but an artificial one. The difference between an imitation and an artificial or synthetic diamond is that the former only looks like a diamond while the later is a diamond with all its characteristics and properties.

You could easily compare the synthetic diamond with artificial pearls - both are man-made, both are real and both are cheaper than their natural versions. Cubic Zirconia as the synthetic diamond

is called does not lack in beauty or any other property that is characteristic of a real diamond. It only lacks the astronomical price tag.

There is one more thing that you would not find with the synthetic diamond and that is mineral inclusions. This is because the natural diamond is created by years and years of compression of carbon which forced certain foreign bodies inside the diamond in the formative period. This is not so with the synthetic diamond because this is created under specially monitored conditions in a lab.

The synthetic stone would require the same type of attention that you would give a real diamond. This is the hardest substance on the Earth, however, it will turn into coal if exposed to fire, so be careful about this aspect.

How Can You Get A Good Quality Stone?

Always shop at a reputable outlet and insist in a genuineness certificate which should describe your stone in terms of the four C's of a diamond. Opt for a synthetic stone that has resale value. Your jeweler would be best to advice you on this. Though a synthetic diamond does not appreciate the way a real diamond does, it is always good to know and buy one that does not loose much of its value over time.