- Number of years London has been the centre for rough diamond distribution: 357
- Year in which it was established: 1650
- Expected year London will cease rough diamond distribution: 2009
- London-based Gem Defensive Programme's budget in 2002 to detect the difference between natural and synthetic diamonds: US$4 million
- Price for a 1.36 carat synthetic yellow diamond: US$6,800
- Price for the same sized natural stone: US$22,000
- Average price of an engagement ring in the UK in 2007: US$3,443
- Reported original price of engagement ring given to Princess Diana by Prince Charles in 1981: US$57,710
- Estimated value 15 years later: US$507,705
- Number of stones used in the most expensive piece of contemporary art ever created, a platinum skull set with diamonds, by artist Damien Hirst: 8,601
- Amount it sold for: US$100 million
Sources: 1 Diamond Intelligence Briefs, website; 2 Rapaport News / Moneycentral.msn.com; 3 The Independent / The Scotsman; 4 The New York Times