The legacy of the diamond is as indestructible as the stone itself. The glitter and sparkle of this magnificent gem has hypnotized mankind since times immemorial. Read ahead to know more about how the diamond got its per-eminence...
The mystique of the diamond has perhaps been best captured by the Chinese proverb - better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without. Technically, the diamond is a simple crystalline carbon. But this definition hardly does justice to a stone which women covet and men have killed for.
Yes, the beautiful diamond has a history that is rich in romance, violence, intrigue and hope and every diamond has a story to tell.
From A Drawing Tool to the Jewel in the Crown
Diamonds rank among the oldest substances in our planet, and ironically a diamond is made of one of the most common elements - carbon. Their creation began nearly 3.3 billion years ago, 200 kilometers below the surface of the earth.
Carbon containing materials took on a crystalline form due to the high pressures underground, and these were pushed to the surface of the earth by volcanic eruptions. The first diamonds were mined in India along river banks as far as back as 3000-6000 years!
Early men used the diamond rather prosaically, and they discovered that the hard substance provided an excellent way to engrave their thoughts on rocks and cave walls. Diamonds as jewellery first appeared in the European courts, with the French king Louis IX bestowing his favor to the sparkling gem.
He passed a law stating that diamonds could be used only by kings and established the supremacy of the diamond over all other gemstones. Till 1750, India was the only known source of diamonds, but soon diamonds were discovered in Brazil too. Modern diamond mining began quite late, in the year 1860, with the discovery of diamonds in Hopetown, South Africa.
Of Myths, Legends and More
For a gem of its stature, it's only natural that the diamond be surrounded by legends and fables - and it was! Diamonds were revered by Indians when it was first discovered, mainly because it was believed that they had the power to ward off evil. A diamond was regarded as a talisman and used to decorate deities of Gods.
In Europe, during the Dark Ages, the diamond was used to cure ailments. It was thought that the stone had the ability to heal open wounds and cure illnesses. The Jews believed that a diamond could establish a person's innocence or guilt, with the diamond losing its sparkle when brought close to the guilty person.
As far as beliefs go, it was also believed that wearing a diamond made a person courageous and invincible. Kings often wore diamonds to battle, and it worked because nobody dared to attack a person protected by the power of the diamond!
What You Didn't Know About Diamonds
- A diamond is at least 990,000,000 years old.
- 10 million people across the world owe their livelihood to the diamond industry.
- Diamonds are present in several colors, but the rarest is the red diamond.
- Diamonds are seen as the best way to express a person's love - all over the world.
- Actor Richard Burton gifted Elizabeth Taylor the 33-carat Krupp diamond and a pear shaped 69 carat diamond.
- The largest diamond ever discovered was the 3016 Cullinan. The master craftsman Joseph Asscher was chosen to cut it. His first attempt to cut the diamond shattered his blade and Asscher promptly fainted. The diamond was finally cut into nine gems.
- In 2004, astronomer Travis Metcalfe discovered a diamond star that is estimated to be 10 billion trillion trillion carats.
- Some of the best known diamonds are the 45 carat Hope diamond, the 546 carat Golden Jubilee and the Kohinoor.
- Diamonds came to be associated with romance after a De Beers ad campaign which came up with the line diamonds are forever.
Know Your Diamonds - The Types
Chemical Classification of Diamonds
Diamonds are classified as Type I or Type II depending on the extent of chemical impurities found in them. Type I diamonds contain nitrogen molecules and Type II diamonds have other impurities apart from nitrogen. Nearly 98% of diamonds are Type I diamonds.
Classification on Basis of Origin
Diamonds are classified into three types depending on the basis of their origin. These include natural diamonds, synthetic industrial diamonds and thin film diamonds. Natural diamonds, as the name suggests, are found naturally.
Synthetic industrial diamonds are created by subjecting graphite and various catalysts to high hydraulic pressures and temperatures. These diamonds are of poor quality and are not used in jewellery. However, they find a market for industrial purposes. The third type of diamond is created by a process known as chemical vapor deposition.
Classification on Basis of Color
The most common type of diamond is the white diamond. It comes in several shapes and sizes and is mined in all diamond producing countries of the world. Colored diamonds include yellow, blue pink and champagne diamonds. The pink diamond is the rarest and most sought after diamond. Around 95% of the world's supply of pink diamonds comes from the Argyle mine.
How good is Your Diamond?
You can check out how good your diamond is after considering the 4Cs. These stand for Cut, Color, Carat and Clarity.
- A well cut diamond sparkles brighter and the more cuts the diamond has, the more beautiful it looks. It takes time and skill to produce a well cut diamond. If your diamond has a high cut grade, it will be valued more highly.
- The color of your diamond will determine its quality. When buying a diamond, remember that a small difference in the color grade can make a huge difference in the price of the diamond.
- Flawless diamonds are rare and very expensive. Most diamonds have imperfections. However, the fewer and less visible the imperfections, the more valued is the diamond.
- Buy certified diamonds. Certifications are quality reports done by independent gemological labs. Some of the popular certifications are GIA, AGS and IGI.
With its unique sparkle and glitter, the diamond continues to captivate and enthrall people across different countries and cultures!
