Diamonds are hugely popular and desirable and fuel much of the jewelry business. These stunning stones are found in almost any piece of jewelry from engagement ring to earrings and bracelets, and can be bought at most jewelry stores, like Rinehart Brothers Jewelers. Many myths continue to circulate about diamonds. Here are six myths about diamonds debunked:

1. Diamonds have symbolized love for centuries.

Diamonds have only been associated with love, engagement, and marriage for less than a century. In 1947, N.W. Ayer & Son successfully marketed the first engagement ring with the famous slogan: "A diamond is forever". Thanks to magazine ads and product placements, diamond engagement rings have been wildly popular ever since.

2. Diamonds are the rarest gemstone.

This is the most common myth. Diamonds are actually the most common gemstone. While it is unknown how many diamonds are in existence, an estimate puts this number in the trillions. In fact, many more diamonds exist in space. Astrophysicists discovered a huge diamond with an estimated 10 billion trillion trillion carats only fifty light years away from Earth.

3. Diamonds are indestructible.

Diamonds are not indestructible. This myth persists because diamonds are the hardest substance on the Mohs scale. No other substance, except a diamond, can scratch another diamond. However, this does not mean that diamonds can't be scratched, chipped, or broken at all. In fact, diamonds are very brittle and will shatter when hit with a hammer.

4. Color decreases a diamond's value.

Color does not lower the value of a diamond. Colorless diamonds are the most common type of diamond, with colored diamonds being less rare, and speckled diamonds being the rarest. This rarity can increase the value of the diamond. Not to mention that colored diamonds are breathtaking, especially when set with colorless diamonds.

5. Diamonds have no practical use.

Many people think diamonds are only great in a necklace. But did you know they are used in many types of industries? Diamonds coat the drill bit in your dentist's office, they are used to make light bulbs, and they protect the circuits in some of your electronics. Diamonds coat the windows of the room where you get your x-rays. They serve many essential purposes outside of jewelry design.

6. Diamonds form from coal.

Diamonds formed at least one billion years ago deep in the Earth's mantle. The high temperature and heat causes carbon to crystallize and form diamonds. Over long geological periods, magma from volcanoes bring the diamonds near the surface. In contrast, coal is a substance made from dead plants, and is dated back to half a billion years.

These are six myths about diamonds debunked. Which myths are you most surprised about?