A diamond in the rough

Can you tell the diamond fact from fiction?

For those of you lucky enough to be celebrating your birthday in April you would be glad to know that your birthstone is a diamond. For many years the remarkable gemstone has become a symbol of love, devotion, anniversaries and special occasions. In celebration of ‘diamond month’, we compiled a quiz on the fascinating gemstone. Can you tell the diamond fact from fiction?

  • ONE

    Diamonds are over 8 million years old. Depending on the colour, you can determine the exact age of a diamond.

  • TWO

    The diamond industry is a monopoly; De Beers determines the price of each diamond.

  • THREE

    In 1477, Archduke Maximillian of Austria proposed to his betrothed, Mary of Burgundy with the very first recorded diamond engagement ring.

  • FOUR

    The diamond mining industry takes a lot from the community and never gives back.

  • FIVE

    Jewish high priests used diamonds to determine the innocence or guilt of a person accused of a crime.

  • SEVEN

    The word ‘Diamond’ comes from the German word, ‘Demante’, which signifies ‘the light of life’.

  • EIGHT

    Diamonds are not gemstones they’re rough stones.

  • NINE

    The largest diamond ever to be found is the Cullinan diamond, which weighed 3 106-carats.

  • TEN

    Diamonds are often referred to as ‘ice’. The reason? Diamonds are naturally colder and often several degrees below room temperature.

ANSWERS: 1) Fiction, 2) Fiction, 3) Fact, 4) Fiction, 5) Fact, 6) Fact, 7) Fiction, 8) Fiction, 9) Fact, 10) Fact.

Polished diamonds

THE FACTS BEHIND THE FICTION:

  • ONE: THE FACT

    A diamond is around 3.3 billion years old. The age of a diamond has nothing to do with the colour of the diamond. The colour of a diamond is caused by the foreign particulates trapped during the Crystallization process.

  • TWO: THE FACT

    In the 1960’s De Beers had 80% control over the mining and market industry. This, however, is no longer the case. Since the 1990’s a new wave of discoveries opened up the mining market, with a multitude of new players emerging, including smaller mining companies.

  • THREE: THE FACT

    After the very first recorded engagement ring was commissioned by Archduke Maximillian of Austria the European aristocracy and nobility started giving their loved ones a diamond.

  • FOUR: THE FACT

    The diamond mining industry creates jobs for thousands of people around the world. Also, unlike other minerals, the impact of diamonds on the environment is significantly lower considering mining involves no chemicals. In most countries, mining is not allowed unless miners can guarantee sustainable operations before, during and after mining an area.

  • FIVE: THE FACT

    The Jewish priest used to believe that a diamond, placed in front of a guilty person, would turn dark, while a diamond placed in front of an innocent person will shine with pure brilliance and scintillation.

  • SEVEN: THE FACT

    The word “Diamond” comes from the Greek word, “Adamas”, which means “hardest steel” or “unconquerable”.

  • EIGHT: THE FACT

    Even though a diamond, before the cutting and polishing process, is often referred to as a rough stone it’s still considered a gemstone. In fact, a diamond is known as the King of all gemstones.

  • NINE: THE FACT

    In 1905, Frederick Wells discovered the Cullinan diamond during a routine inspection at the Premier Mine in South Africa. The diamond weighed in at an astonishing 3 106-carats, making it the largest diamond ever to be found.

  • TEN: THE FACT

    Diamonds are naturally colder than any other gemstones due to the fact that a diamond doesn’t retain heat.

With a gemstone so extraordinaire, it’s hard to tell fact from fiction. For more fascinating facts about diamonds, visit the Cape Town Diamond Museum for a personally guided tour. We’re open seven days a week, 9am-9pm, including public holidays.