Did You know There Are Enough Diamonds On Earth To Give Every Person A Handful?

Diamonds are a timeless gift, often exchanged by couples as symbols of love in the form of rings, bracelets, pendants, and earrings. Holding such a precious gem feels extraordinary. However, despite their luxurious reputation, diamonds aren’t as rare as you might think.

In fact, South Africa alone has diamond mines with more than enough to meet humanity's demand many times over. There are so many diamonds on our planet that each of us could, theoretically, own a cupful. So, why are they so expensive and considered rare?

The reason is that most of these diamonds don’t meet the high standards required to be sold as jewelry. To make it into the market, a diamond must pass through rigorous evaluations, judged by the well-known “four Cs”: carat, color, cut, and clarity. Diamonds go through extensive processes, and only the most flawless ones make it to jewelry stores. While distinguishing a real diamond from an imitation might be difficult for most people, jewelry brands ensure you get only the highest quality.

Interestingly, before the 19th century, diamonds were genuinely rare. But that changed in the 1870s with the discovery of massive diamond mines in South Africa, threatening to make diamonds more common and affordable. This is where De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd. stepped in.

De Beers took control of the diamond trade , managing the supply and ensuring prices remained stable. They decided how many diamonds would enter the market, preserving the illusion of diamonds’ rarity.

It’s also worth noting that only about 20 percent of mined diamonds are of gem quality , and even those often have visible flaws or discolorations. Considering this, it becomes clear why the flawless diamonds displayed at high-end jewelry stores like Tiffany’s are seen as rare. Since diamonds now symbolize perfection in relationships, they must appear flawless as well!