Anyone who walks into a jewellery shop and sees the variety of diamonds on display in all shapes and sizes will find it hard to believe that diamonds are so rare and therefore so valuable.

Most people who are interested in jewellery do not realise how the diamond actually got into this business. In fact, a lot of work is required to get the diamond ready for sale to the public.


Only one diamond in a million mined stones has the quality of one carat. To find a two-carat diamond, about five million diamonds must be mined. More than 200 tonnes of ore are mined to find one small diamond, and even then 80% of the stones found are for industrial use only, such as diamond cutting stones or drill bits.

So next time you go to the jeweller, let them show you a one-carat diamond. You will see it with new eyes, knowing that it is truly unique among the millions of diamonds found.