~SECRET HISTORY OF DIAMONDS~

• Most diamonds are at least one billion years old
• Diamonds are said to have been discovered in India first, where it has been known for at least 3,000 years. Diamonds have been discovered in Canada, Russia, Australia and South America, but the majority of the stones today are mined in South Africa
• In the late 1990's, conflict diamonds or blood diamonds, captured the world's attention during the Sierra Leone conflict. These diamonds, illegally traded to fund conflict in war-torn areas, were estimated to represent approximately four per cent of the world's diamond production. The percentage has significantly dropped today, thanks to a coalition of governments and NGOs backed by the UN that have come together to eradicate this problem. Today, over 99 per cent of the world's diamond supply is from sources that are free of conflict
• The world's largest diamond was the Cullinan, found in South Africa in 1905. It weighed 3106.75 carats uncut. It was cut into the Great Star of Africa diamond, weighing 530.2 carats, the Lesser Star of Africa diamond, which weighs 317.40 carats, and 104 other diamonds of nearly flawless colour and clarity
• Some skin care products contain diamond dust as exfoliant. Largest numbersof diamonds are not used in jewellery or health care but in industries. This is because 80 per cent of mined diamonds are only suitable for industrial purposes. They are used in cutting and grinding and are resistant to heat
• The 4Cs are important when buying a diamond. Cut refers to geometric proportions, symmetry, polish and finish of the stone; Clarify refers to surface blemishes; Carat is the weight of a diamond; Colour describes the amount of hue the diamond contains
• An estimated five mill people have access to appropriate healthcare globally thanks to revenues from diamonds
• An estimated 10 million people globally are directly or indirectly supported by the diamond industry
• The diamond mining industry generates over 40 per cent of Namibia's annual export earnings
• Diamond revenes enable every child in Botswana to receive free education up to the age of 13
• Approximately US$8.5 billion worth of diamonds a year come from African countries