The colour of the diamond
While bright and clear diamonds are the most recognisable, the gemstone comes in a range of colours. Namely, in brown, yellow, red, pink, blue and green. Blue, green and red are the rarest. The colour of a diamond is related to the impurities present in the gemstone.
Diamonds can be transparent, translucent or opaque. But most diamonds we use as gemstones are transparent and colourless.
Meanings, symbolism and folklore of diamonds
The term “diamond” comes from the Greek word, adamas, meaning invincible or unbreakable. As you might have guessed, “adamantine” also originated from this word!
In Sanskrit, the diamond is called vajra, which also means lightning in Hindu mythology. The vajra was the weapon of Indra, the king of the gods.
Pliny the Elder, a Roman naturalist, is said to have described the diamond in this way. “The diamond is the most precious, not only of gems, but of all the things of this world.”.
It was once believed that a diamond could remove the evil eye, which was said to cause illness, poverty and possibly death.
In the past, diamonds were believed to have healing powers, acted as an antidote to poison and provided protection against the plague.
During the Middle Ages, diamonds were thought to cure diseases of the pituitary gland and the brain.
Before they discovered the process of creating diamonds, some ancient cultures believed that they were formed by lightning. While others believed they were the tears of God.
In addition to being a symbol of eternal love and marriage, some believed that owning a diamond would provide strength, beauty and happiness. Other possible benefits were balance, clarity and abundance.
If you see in your dream that you are wearing diamond earrings, you will receive good financial advice.
The diamond is not only the April birthstone, but it is also the gemstone given to celebrate 60th and 75th wedding anniversaries.
History of the diamond
The formation of the oldest diamonds has taken place more than 3 billion years ago.
Perhaps the passion for diamonds began in India, where they were collected from rivers and streams. According to historians, India began trading in diamonds as early as the 4th century BC. The gemstone was originally intended for India's wealthiest people. Soon, however, India's diamonds reached Western Europe and, by the 1400s, they became fashionable in the high society of Europe.
In 300 BC, diamonds were used to carve other gemstones in India.
The first diamond engagement ring was given to Mary of Burgundy by Archduke Maximilian of Austria in 1477.
The origin of the Hope blue diamond is traced to the Golconda mining district of India in the 1600s. It was subsequently sold to King Louis XIV of France. Today it is in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.
The largest diamond ever found was discovered at the Premier mine in South Africa in 1905. Weighing 3,106 carats, the gem yielded the Cullinan I diamond, also known as the Great Star of Africa. The 530-carat drop-shaped diamond was placed in the Scepter of the Sovereign with a Cross. It is housed with the other Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. The Cullinan II (Africa's smallest star) cut from the same diamond is also part of the Crown Jewels of Great Britain.
Where we find the diamonds.
Diamonds are formed under extreme conditions of temperature and pressure. These temperatures are more than 75 miles below the Earth's surface.
A gem quality diamond in excess of 99.9 % % its composition is carbon. This fact makes it one of the purest gemstones. It is the only gemstone whose composition is a single element, with trace elements making up the remaining percentage. So therefore its crystal structure is isometric. This means that the carbon atoms are bonded together in the same way in all directions. This is how they create its incredible hardness.
Once formed, the diamonds are pushed upwards by volcanic activity until they reach the Earth's surface or just below. Diamonds are found in a few different locations: rocks, alluvial deposits, glacial outwash and kimberlite pipes.
But diamonds are hard to come by. The average yield from a diamond mine is 1 part diamond to 1 million parts rock.
It is believed that diamonds were first discovered in India before Brazil became a major player in the gemstone supply chain in the 1700s. Other deposits were discovered in South Africa in the late 1800s. In addition to South Africa and other African nations, locations such as Russia, Australia and Canada play a role in today's supply chain.
Diamonds in jewellery
It has long been said that the diamond is a woman's best friend. For hundreds of years diamonds have been used for engagement and wedding rings, but they are also fashionable for everyday wear. The gemstone is used for necklaces, pins, rings and bracelets.
It is said that the first engagement ring containing a diamond was given in 1477 by Archduke Maximilian of Austria to his fiancée, Maria of Burgundy. But today, diamonds are the most popular stone choice for an engagement ring.
Diamonds can be found in various cuts, such as round, oval, princess and heart, to name a few.
The diamond has a Mohs hardness rating of 10 and is so hard that the only thing that can scratch it is another diamond.
Source: www.almanac.com
