Diamonds by Distinction
Where do diamonds come from?
Diamonds come from the Earth.
A natural diamond’s creation began around 100 miles below the Earth’s surface. Each natural diamond is made of pure carbon, compressed by Earth’s pressure over time, and is the hardest substance on earth that exists naturally.
Today, there are many synthetic and laboratory-grown diamonds on the market. These are also made of carbon, but without the Earthly origins of real diamonds, they lack the unique diamond qualities infused by nature.
Diamonds are the oldest thing you’ll ever touch.
The first diamond was discovered in an Indian cave nearly 4,000 years ago. But the diamond journey? That began billions of years before. The stones you see in diamond jewelry today began forming from one to three billion years ago, making a natural diamond the oldest thing you’ll ever touch. A natural diamond’s markings and inclusions are symbols of their age, and can be considered small time capsules that tell stories of the Earth’s formation.
Diamonds are rare.
Natural diamonds are a finite resource. The number of recovered natural diamonds peaked in 2005 and has been decreasing ever since. The total amount of one carat natural diamonds recovered annually could fit inside of one exercise ball. Diamonds are a tangible and authentic miracle of nature, crafted under the earth’s surface over millions of years. Natural diamonds are inherently rare, unique, and precious.
Although LGDs have the same crystal structure as natural diamonds, they are manufactured to a repeatable order. This means they don’t have the unique genuine natural qualities of precious natural diamonds. LGDs can be produced to order in any desired sizes, qualities, and quantities; the only constraint is the production capacity of each laboratory.
Diamonds are a symbol of love.
The name “diamond” stems from the Greek word adamas, meaning unbreakable. In 1477, Archduke Maximilian of Austria wanted to orchestrate a wedding proposal for his love, Mary of Burgundy. To ensure she knew how he felt, he commissioned an engagement ring to be made with a diamond—a resilient stone as beautiful and enduring as his love. That day, the diamond engagement ring was born, a symbol of everlasting love.
