-  Most diamonds were formed more than 100     ÂÂ
miles below  the surface of the Earth, some from 400
miles down.

-  Diamonds are carried to the surface by volcano
eruptions. The volcanic magma conduit is known as a
kimberlite pipe or diamond pipe. The most recent
kimberlite volcano eruption was approximately 53
million years ago.

-  Diamond is the hardest natural substance found on
the earth.

-   To produce a single one-carat diamond, 250 tons
of earth will be mined.

-    Only 20 percent of the diamonds mined in the
world are of gem quality diamonds.

-    Australia accounts for producing the most
diamonds in volume.

-    America buys more than half of the world’s total
gem quality diamonds, accounting for the world’s
largest diamond market.

-    Diamonds come in a spectrum of color. Colored
diamonds are called “fancies�. Blue and pink
diamonds are among the rarest, yellow and brown as
among the most common.

-    The most recent diamond discoveries were made
in North   America - in the Northwest Territories of
Canada and in  Colorado.

-    The largest rough diamond ever found was the
Cullinan, 3,106 carats, discovered in January 26, 1905
in the Premier mine of South Africa. It was cut into 9
major stones, including the largest gem diamond, the
Cullinan I, or the Star of Africa, 550.20 carats.  This is
mounted in the British Royal Scepter and housed in
the Tower of London.

-    The largest diamond ever found in the US was
discovered in 1924 in The Crater of Diamonds State
Park in Arkansas – the “Uncle Sam Diamond� that
weights 40.23 carats.