13 Diamond Facts You Didn't Know

Let’s be honest, diamonds are more than just a girl’s best friend. 

They’re fascinating, mysterious, and steeped in a history that stretches across galaxies and centuries.

We admire their sparkle, but there’s so much more beneath the surface.

You may already know that diamonds are one of the hardest substances on Earth.

But did you know they can also burn? 

Or that one exists in space that’s the size of a star?

In this article, you’ll uncover 13 little-known facts about diamonds.

Some are scientific. Others are just plain surprising. 

But all of them will give you a deeper appreciation for nature’s most dazzling creation.

Let’s get ‘bright’ into it.

There’s A Diamond Star In Space Called Lucy

Roughly 50 light-years away, there’s a white dwarf star nicknamed ‘Lucy’, named after the Beatles song.

What makes Lucy unique?

It’s made almost entirely of crystallized carbon.

In other words, it’s essentially a giant cosmic diamond.

Scientists estimate it weighs around 10 billion trillion trillion carats. That’s a lot of sparkle.

And it’s not alone.

The planet 55 Cancri e, discovered in 2004, is believed to have a carbon-rich composition. 

That’s led researchers to theorize its interior could be loaded with diamonds.

Diamonds Can Be Made From Ashes (With A Disclaimer)

Yes, it’s true: memorial diamonds are a thing.

Some companies claim to create lab-grown diamonds using the cremated ashes of loved ones or pets.

But here’s the catch: many experts in the jewelry world question how much of the original ashes actually remain in the final product.

That’s because the high-pressure process used to grow diamonds may destroy organic matter.

So while the idea is beautiful, be cautious and do your research before investing in a memorial diamond.

The Matryoshka Diamond Is A Diamond Inside A Diamond

In 2019, Russian miners discovered a one-of-a-kind gem: a tiny diamond encased within a larger one.

This rare formation, dubbed the ‘Matryoshka Diamond’ after the traditional nesting dolls, is believed to be the first of its kind ever found.

The inner diamond moves freely inside its outer shell, untouched and unconnected.

Scientists still don’t fully understand how it formed, but it’s thought to be a result of natural geological processes.

Its rarity makes it a true marvel in the diamond world.

The Briolette of India Is Over 800 Years Old

When you think of antique jewelry, your mind might go back a few hundred years.

But the Briolette of India dates back to at least the 12th century.

This elongated, faceted diamond has passed through the hands of French royalty, Indian maharajas, and British nobility.

Its exact origin is unknown, but its legacy is undeniable.

It’s one of the oldest known diamonds, and its rich history adds to its mystique.

Yes, Diamonds Can Burn

Despite being the hardest natural substance, diamonds are not indestructible.

Under extreme heat, they can actually combust.

If you heat a diamond to 1,290–1,650°F (700–900°C) in the presence of oxygen, it will burn.

The result? A release of carbon dioxide.

So if you’re handling diamonds around open flames or high heat (like in jewelry crafting), handle with care.

Black Diamonds May Come From Space

Carbonado, also known as black diamond, is a mysterious and ultra-tough variety of diamond.

Unlike typical diamonds, carbonado has a porous, graphite-like texture and contains tiny inclusions of hydrogen and nitrogen, clues that suggest it formed in outer space.

Some scientists believe carbonado originated from a supernova explosion before falling to Earth as meteorite fragments.

Most black diamonds are found in Brazil and the Central African Republic.

Their extraterrestrial origin only adds to their intrigue.

The Strawn-Wagner Diamond Is One In A Billion

In 1990, a visitor to Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas stumbled upon a small but stunning find: a 3.03-carat rough diamond.

After cutting and polishing, it was revealed to be a 1.09-carat stone of absolute perfection.

The American Gem Society graded it a perfect 0/0/0 - the highest possible rating.

Today, it’s on display in the park’s visitor center, a testament to nature’s ability to create flawless beauty.

Red Diamonds Are The Rarest Of Them All

Colored diamonds are rare, but red diamonds are the rarest of them all.

Only a handful are known to exist, and most weigh less than one carat. 

However, there are a few that weigh 5 or more carats, but these are extremely rare.

Unlike other fancy-colored diamonds, red diamonds owe their hue to a unique atomic distortion, not chemical impurities.

This makes them exceptionally rare and valuable.

The Moussaieff Red, weighing 5.11 carats, is one of the most famous examples and it’s worth millions.

Kimberlite Pipes Are Nature’s Diamond Delivery System

Diamonds form deep within the Earth’s mantle, about 100 miles below the surface.

But how do they get to us?

The answer lies in kimberlite pipes.

These vertical rock formations are the result of ancient volcanic eruptions that carried diamonds up from the depths at incredible speeds.

Most of the world’s natural diamonds are mined from these pipes, found in countries like Russia, South Africa, and Canada.

The Kazanjian Red Diamond Has A Tumultuous Past

Weighing 5.05 carats, the Kazanjian Red Diamond is one of the largest red diamonds ever discovered.

It was found in South Africa in the 1920s and cut in the Netherlands.

During World War II, it was seized by the Nazis and hidden in a salt mine.

It remained lost until Allied forces discovered and returned it.

Today, it’s privately owned and rarely displayed.

Its history is as compelling as its deep red hue.

Yakutites Were Born From Meteorite Impacts

Yakutites are a unique variety of diamond found in Siberia.

What makes them special is how they were formed; through the extreme pressure and heat caused by meteorite impacts.

These diamonds have a different crystal structure than traditional ones and often contain rare minerals not found elsewhere.

Their cosmic connection gives them a scientific and sentimental value.

They’re proof that diamonds really can fall from the sky.

The DeYoung Red Diamond Was Once Mistaken For Garnet

In one of the most surprising gem mix-ups, the DeYoung Red Diamond was originally purchased at a flea market as a garnet.

Later testing revealed it was a natural red diamond, an incredibly rare find.

It weighs 5.03 carats and now resides at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

Its story is a reminder that treasures sometimes hide in plain sight.

Candle Flames Create Tiny Diamonds

In 2011, researchers at the University of St Andrews discovered something extraordinary: candle flames produce millions of nanodiamonds per second.

Unfortunately, these microscopic diamonds are instantly burned up in the heat of the flame.

But their brief existence reveals just how naturally carbon can crystallize under the right conditions.

It’s a magical fact that makes your next candlelit dinner just a little more romantic.

Sparkling Secrets

From burning candles to distant stars, diamonds are full of surprises.

They’re more than just sparkly stones; they’re cosmic, historical, and sometimes even mysterious.

Whether formed in the Earth or raining down from the skies, diamonds hold secrets waiting to be uncovered.

Next time you slip one on your finger (or someone else does…) or admire one in a display case, you’ll know there’s more than meets the eye.

Behind every facet is a story, and behind every story is a universe of wonder.

Curious to learn more? Keep exploring the glittering world of gemstones. Who knows what other dazzling facts you’ll discover?