In a great article posted by National Geographic the secret history of diamonds is revealed and the facts are fascinating. Here are some of the Gold Standard‘s favorite facts about diamonds from the article:
- Each year diamonds fuel an industry of $14 billion.
- Botswana is the largest producer of diamonds, while the United States is the largest buyer rated at 35% of total world consumption of diamonds in 2008.
- During volcanic eruptions, diamonds surface into channels ripped into Earth’s crust known as kimberlites.
- Diamonds are known as the icy stone because they control heat, making them cold to the touch.
- Diamonds have historically been believed to give power, cure diseases, and boost sexual energy.
- It is widely believed in the Republic of Central Africa that every diamond has a connection to a sprit of an ancestor.
- The largest diamond ever discovered is The Cullinan Diamond Carat. This diamond was 3,106 carats.
- In February 2002, thieves left with $100 million worth of diamonds stolen from the Antwerp Diamond Center. Leonardo Notarbartolo and his team took the diamonds after bypassing ten layers of security and breaking into 180 individual safes contained within a three-ton steel vault.
- Diamonds are often used as a source for funding wars. In the 1990s, rebel armies in Angola, DRC, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea used diamonds to pay for weapons.
In 2003, during an effort to prevent trading of diamonds that funded conflict, the Kimberly Process Certificate Scheme was created, requiring members of the Kimberly Process to declare the origin of their countries’ diamonds.
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Botswana has always been on top when it comes to diamond i think it is the source their major government fund. Diamonds are quite beautiful and extraordinary.
Thanks For Sharing such a valuable information with us…..!!! it was really informative…!! i gain some extra knowledge with “Secrets Of Diamonds”.
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