Did You Know?

Diamonds are the most beautiful, ancient and enduring pieces of GOD's fingertips found on our home the Earth. We would like to share some amazing facts with you on these glorious creations:

RARETY

It takes a million diamonds mined in order to obtain just one ONE caret diamond.
If you take 1,000 piles of diamonds with 1,000 diamonds in each pile -  you will only find one ONE caret diamond.
1 pile of 1,000 diamonds takes more than a day to sort through - so it's a year endeavor to find a caret.
5 million diamonds are mined to find one single TWO caret diamond.
80% of all diamonds mined are for industry, such as NASA, drills, etc., only 20% are gem quality.

MINING

The only diamond mines known left are in Australia, Russia, Africa and Canada
It would take 250 one-ton dump trucks full (1 mile long) to find one ONE caret diamond! That's 250 tons to find ONE ONE CARET!
A major pipe is a 50-year endeavor - there are only 6 years left in the Australian Argyle mine
At the current rate of production, all diamond mines will be mined out in 40 years
Only one out of  every 10 people have ever touched a 1 caret diamond

CUT

60% of the value of a diamond is in the cut
90% of all diamonds are cut to retain weight - thus the varying prices of diamonds. The most beautiful cuts result in the most shimmering and scintillating diamonds!
1/10th of 1% of all diamonds are IDEAL cut!!!
In order to be ALLOWED to cut on one caret diamond -  the craftsman must apprentice 10 years - that's the training of a meticulous surgeon.
Only 10% of diamond cutters are allowed to cut the truly most valuable one caret diamonds and up.
One slip on the cut and it's GONE! That's why diamond prices DO vary, and that's why they just might be cheaper down the street!

THE ENDURANCE FACTOR

With a little respect they will last a lifetime
Nothing else lasts forever
It is the only universal symbol of love

ANTIQUITY VALUE

Diamonds are the oldest known substance in the Earth's crust
They are 3.4 billion years old
Since 1940, diamonds have doubled in value about every 10 years, but that's not the REAL value - diamonds are called priceless - yet a 1.00Ct. diamond can be very affordable
Diamonds are an investment in one's life, memories, time, hope, security, and love.
 

West & Company Diamonds, for the ultimate and rare.