Diamond

This is that happy morn,
That day, long-wished day ...
Which, purely white, deserves
An everlasting diamond should it mark.

William Drummond
“Summons to Love"

Revealed Glories
Diamond is the hardest mineral on Earth. On the Mohs Scale of gemstone hardness, diamond is the “gold standard” (so to speak): Diamond is a 10; all the other natural gemstones are ranked lower.

Diamond is made of simple carbon and it takes 250 tons of ore to produce a single 1-carat polished diamond. Only 1 in 1,000 diamonds is over a carat in weight.

Diamonds are evaluated by what has come to be known as the “Four Cs”:

• Clarity
• Color
• Cut
• Carat Weight

Mined diamonds in the rough barely hint at the revealed glories hidden in the dull white stone that has been and continues to be so valued. But the perfect crystalline structure of a diamond lends itself magnificently to being cut and polished, and when a diamond is finished in this manner by a master diamond cutter, the results can range from an internally flawless 2-carat round brilliant, to a flawed quarter-carat marquise.

Regardless of the quality of the finished stone, though, there is no denying that a polished diamond is one of the most beautiful natural objects on Earth.

Diamonds were first mined in India over 4,000 years ago. Early attempts at cutting and polishing diamonds resulted in “blocky” stones (table cuts, Rose cuts, Old Mine cuts, Old European cuts) that did not have the visual appeal of the modern cut stones of today. Technology has allowed diamond cutters to perfect the cutting and polishing process. Now it is possible to produce the best possible polished stone from an uncut diamond.

Diamonds have long been treasured as symbols of eternal love and the diamond engagement ring is a beloved part of the courting, engagement, and marriage ritual.

One diamond producer uses as their slogan “A diamond is forever,” emphasizing that diamonds were formed over 100 million years ago and thus, they are the perfect way to say “I will always love you.”

Diamonds are used for much more than engagement rings, though, and diamond earrings and diamond pendants are perenially popular and important parts of every woman’s jewelry wardrobe. Diamonds are also used as accent stones in colored stone rings, pendants, and earrings, and the diamond wedding band is also a very popular way to wear diamonds.

Throughout history, diamonds have been cherished ... and not only for their beauty.

The myths, legends, and lore surrounding diamonds could fill volumes, although it is really not all that surprising that such an incredible natural creation as diamond should be revered enough to have mystical and magical qualities atributed to it.

According to legend, wearing a diamond endows the wearer with unparalleled strength, bravery, and courage. Diamonds are also reputed to possess spiritual qualities that can repel demons and evil spirits. Diamonds can supposedly attract friends, guarantee success, imbue the wearer with a aura of authority and power, and assure good fortune. Diamonds are rumored to slow down the aging process and also make the wearer wealthy. They can assure invincibility, enhance spirituality, and, perhaps most intriguing considering diamond’s traditional use as a symbol of betrothal and eternal love, enhance sexual prowess in both the giver and the recipient.

Today, the top seven diamond producing countries are

• Botswana
• Russia
• South Africa
• Angola
• Namibia
• Australia
• Zaire

Diamond is perhaps the most important natural gemstone used in jewelry and this chapter will help clear up some of the confusion about the many sizes, shapes, qualities, and colors of diamonds.