History Of Diamond

Introduction
A diamond is a gesture so unique, that once you have presented it to someone, it holds on to the heart for all eternity.

The History
Every diamond has an interesting story to tell. Each is the result of a remarkable natural voyage which has turned an ancient element into the world's most desired jewel. The journey began billions of years ago when they were crystallized at tremendously high temperatures, deep beneath the earth's crust.

Discoveries
After years, the fury of nature in the form of winds, water, heat and cold reworked landscapes while these gems stayed intact and hidden, awaiting for their radiance to sparkle to the world unknown.

Just a few managed to survive, out of which a small amount with an appropriate size and good quality were cut and polished to be renowned as some of the finest pieces of jewelry. Diamonds are rare and are found only in a few secluded sites, spread among the oldest parts of the continents. For years, the only source known to man was one remote area in India, where diamonds were first appreciated for their capacity to disperse light.

New discoveries were made in Borneo in the 7th century and in Brazil in the 18th century. Despite its insignificant size, the Brazilian finding was so popular that the ruling Portuguese marked the occasion with great joy. Festivals were staged in Lisbon, with special masses said and messages of congratulations were sent by the Pope and European monarchs.

More celebrations came in 1866 when, at last, a truly significant source of diamonds was discovered in South Africa. Strangely, it owed nothing to the art or energy of the world's eager prospectors. A farmers' child was playing with some brightly colored stones found beside a river, one of which was recognized as a diamond.

The gem cut from it was appropriately named "Eureka" and it marked the start of a remarkable new episode in the story of the emergence of diamonds.

At present, in spite of modern technologies, diamonds are still difficult to discover. Geologists search relentlessly for these precious gems, usually in very remote places, like the frozen tundra of Siberia and Canada to the parched deserts and ocean floors of Africa.

Love and Diamonds
Diamonds have been sought after the world over. They have preserved a special magic and a sense of belonging which captured royal families since ages. It was believed that diamonds were fragments of stars and the teardrops of the Gods. Until the 15th century only Kings wore diamonds as a symbol of strength, courage and invincibility.

Since their creation, they were associated with romance and legend. Later they gained the character of the ultimate gift of love. It was even believed that cupid's arrows were tipped with diamonds. The Greeks thought that the fire in the diamond reflected the constant flame of love.

It wasn't until 1477 when Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy, that the diamond engagement ring was introduced. Placing the ring on the fourth finger of the left hand dates back to the early Egyptian belief that the Vena Amors, vein of love, runs directly from the heart to the tip of the fourth finger.

In the 19th century, Napoleon gave his wife Marie Louise an exquisite diamond necklace on the birth of their son and more recently, producer / director Bruce Paltrow confirmed his pride in daughter Gwyneth when, after winning the Best Actress award at the 1999 Oscars, he bought her the stunning 40 carat diamond necklace she had borrowed to wear at the ceremony.
Next Page