Diamond

The beautiful, brilliant diamonds are birthstones for the month of April and anniversary stones for 60 and 75 years of marriage. Celebrated as a girl’s best friend, diamonds derive their name from the Greek word ‘Adamas’ which means invincible. These gems are internationally recognized as symbol of love, power, fearlessness and eternity.

Since ages, diamonds have been the undisputed ruler of the gemstone family. Uncut diamonds adorned the suits of many great knights and cut diamonds graced the crowns of many aristocrats. Ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were splinters of star that had fallen on earth.

The existence of these gemstones can be traced back to 3000 years in India where this stone was admired for its high refractive property and talismanic powers. The earliest written reference of diamonds could be seen in the Arthashastras, ancient Sanskrit scripture, written in about 296 B.C. which describes the gem’s hardness, luster and dispersion.

Until the discovery of diamond mines in Brazil in the eighteenth century, India was the primary source of these gems. Many of the world’s most famous diamond including Hope Diamond, the Kohinoor, the Regent and the Orloff have come from this country. The nineteenth century saw a major discovery of diamond mines in South Africa and then later in twentieth century some other sites were discovered in Botswana, Russia, Angola, Australia and most recently in Canada. Commercial diamonds are also mined in the United States of America.

Chemically, diamonds are the most simplest of the gemstones as they are made up of only carbon atoms. Structurally, these gems are known to be the hardest substance, scoring a 10 on Moh’s scale of hardness. Contrary to common belief that diamonds are transparent and colorless, these gemstones come in the most vivid spectrum of colors that one could possibly imagine including pink, blue, gray, yellow, brown, orange, black and the rarest being green and red hued diamonds. When the color is prominent in diamonds, they are referred to as fancy diamonds. The natural colored diamonds are much rarer than the colorless or white variety and hence command higher prices.

Diamond Jewelry

Diamonds are cut in wide range of shapes to enhance the fire and the brilliance of the stone. The classic round brilliant cut, princess cut, emerald-cut and Asscher cut are to name but a few. Crafted in stunning pieces of jewelry, diamond jewelry is a quintessential in any girl’s wardrobe.

Diamond Jewelry is a perfect gift that can make any occasion special. Diamond pendant hanging delicately on the neckline are one of the most divine creations of man. A diamond ring has graced many royalties in the past and it is a symbol of power, of purity, of love. Diamond earrings definitely need no introduction. They are the most visible pieces of jewelry that can do wonders to a face.