Diamond Trivia
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75% percent of all new brides in the United States will wear a diamond ring, 6% percent of these rings will have been family "heirlooms."
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The biggest diamond ever found in the world is the Cullinan diamond found South Africa: 3,106 carats, about one and a third pounds!
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It is a myth that diamonds are indestructible. Although they are the hardest substance known on Earth, they are not necessarily the toughest.
A sharp blow to a diamond, make quite possibly damage the stone.
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A diamond "in the rough," refers to a diamond as it is found in nature. |
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The legendary Croesus was the first King to mint gold coins. He was the greatest collector of gold in history. |
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Men were the first to wear jewelry as a status symbol and as good luck amulets to aid them in battle. |
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Agnes Sorel, the mistress of King Charles VII of France was the first woman to wear diamonds. |
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Initially, only one ring was used for an engagement and a wedding. Then in 1477, Maximilian of Austria gave an engagement ring to his beloved, Mary of Burgundy starting a tradition. |
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1/142 of an ounce equals a carat. The world carat comes from carob, a seed that is uniformed in weight. |
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The value of a diamond depends upon carat weight, color, clarity and cut. |
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Although the hardest substance known, diamonds can be chipped. They have a grain line and may be broken by a sharp blow along this line. |
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Aaron, first high priest of the Hebrews, wore 12 gemstones (representing the 12 tribes of Israel) in his silver breastplate. This is when birthstones originated. |
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The most important quality of a ruby, sapphire or emerald is its clarity of color. |
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A natural or cultured pearl (unlike an imitation or simulated one) rubbed against the edge of one's teeth produces vibrations one can actually hear. |
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Jewels avoid metal-to-metal contact of watch parts that do the most work. |
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Under government regulations, 10 power magnification is used by jewelers in their loupes (eyepieces). |
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58.3% of pure gold is an item marked 14k. |
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Cutting and polishing, a very limited natural supply and mining operations make a diamond so costly. |
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Of the 20,000 minerals known, only 100 may be classified as gems. |