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Diamond
Most people are surprised to find that diamond is crystallized carbon, and yet it is the hardest known natural mineral. The name is from the Greek adamas, for "invincible," or unconquerable. From which flows a good deal of the lore about it.
Prior to the18th century almost all diamonds came from alluvial deposits in India. It was 1867 when the first of many significant discoveries began in South Africa. The most famous, the Kimberley mine, was worked from 1861 - 1908. Creating a hand dug hole 1500 feet in diameter and 3500 feet deep. Today diamonds come from mines in at least 20 different countries.
Lore
The king of all precious gems, diamond traditionally represents purity, fearlessness, invincibility and strength. Because of this diamond has seen extensive use as adornments for breast plates, shields, crowns and even swords.
During the Roman era it was believed that swallowing a diamond would counteract poison.
"The Hindus believed that a flawed diamond, or one containing specks or spots, was so unlucky that it could even deprive Indra of his highest heaven. The original shape of the stone was also considered of great importance, more especially in early times, when but few, if any, diamonds, were cut. A triangular stone was said to cause quarrels, a square diamond inspired the wearer with vague terrors; a five-cornered stone had the worst effect of all, for it brought death; only the six-cornered diamond was productive of good." 1
In ancient times diamond was worn solely by men. Agnes Sorel (1422-50), mistress of Charles VII, was the first woman to depart from this taboo. The earliest record of a man giving a diamond to a woman as and engagement gift was in 1477. The Archduke of Austria gave it to Mary of Burgundy. Today, thanks in large part to De Beer's hugely successful "a diamond is forever" advertising slogan, diamond is the stone of choice for engagement and wedding rings.
Diamond is attracted to grease, as funny as it may sound this principal is utilized to aid in sorting at the mines. Because of this characteristic it is recommended that you wash diamond frequently to remove cooking grease, body oils and the like. This will keep it shinning in all of its glory. It is forever . . .
Diamond is one of the birthstones for April.
Diamond is the state gem of Arkansas.
1) George Fredrick Kunz "The Curious Lore of Precious Stones"
Famous Diamonds in History
| Dresden (41 carats) | Probably from India. Purchased in 1742 by the Duke of Saxony |
| Cullinan I (530 carats) | Cut from the largest diamond rough ever found |
| Cullinan IV (63 carats) | One of the 105 cut from the Cullinan |
| Tiffany (128 carats) | Found at the Kimberley mine - rough weight 287 carats. Purchased by Tiffany's (hence the name) |
| Florentine (137 carats) | Lost early in the last century and never found. |
| Hope (45 carats) | First appearance in the trade about 1830. It's prior history is not known. Probably a re-cut, stolen stone. |
| Koh-i-Noor (109 carats) | The Shah of Persia gave it its name, meaning "Mountain of life" One of the British Crown Jewels. |
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