Today diamond symbolizes wealth, durability, status, and peerless quality. Across time and cultures, diamond has also been associated with invulnerability, lightning, magic, healing, protection, and poisoning. In unraveling the history and associations of diamond, we also need to know the history of the words attached to it: Did the words used by the ancient Indians or Greeks signify the same thing they do today, or something very different?

"Diamond" comes from the Greek adamao, transliterated as "adamao," "I tame" or "I subdue." The adjective "adamas" was used to describe the hardest substance known, 
and eventually became synonymous with diamond. It is difficult to determine at what point in history the hardest known substance become diamond. "Adamas" may have previously referred to the next hardest mineral, corundum - the gem variety is sapphire - or to something else altogether. Tracing the history of diamond is complicated by this problem with names.

History of Diamonds

Diamonds are made up of carbon that was buried deep within the Earth under intense pressure and heat. They were made popular because loose diamonds are the hardest 
known substance. They do not easily break, crack or chip, though can be cut by a single blow. India began mining diamonds for diamond jewelry over a thousand years 
ago until they were found in other places. Today, 90 percent of diamond jewelry are made from diamonds mined in African countries with the rest mined in Australia, South America, Canada and Russia. 

Instead of just white, diamond jewelry actually come in a rainbow of colors because diamonds can be as colorful as any other gem. The occurrence of different hues are created by the presence of slight traces of other elements beside carbon. The type of element inclusion determines the color. Pink and blue diamonds are especially popular and have been sold at higher dollars per carat than any other loose gemstones in history. Red, green, and purple diamonds are among the rarest of the rare. 

Diamond center stones are now a favorite for the engagement ring. The tradition started when Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave the first diamond engagement ring to Mary of Burgundy in 1477. Now, more than 250 tons of earth is mined before a single 1-carat good quality diamond is found. Although there are many substitutes for diamond jewelry, such as the popular and affordable cubic zirconia, out of this world moissanites, and rare white sapphires, real, genuine diamonds are still the most desired. Diamond jewelry and diamond rings will be adored and regarded as the premium choice for countless years to come.


The History of the DIAMOND

The Greek word " Adamas " means unconquerable and indestructible. This is the origin of the word Diamond. It is one of the most indestructible natural formations known to man. From this word and from the depths of the earth is derived The Diamond. The Diamond is the oldest item one can ever own. Diamonds are Pure Carbon. It is one of 
the earth’s most common elements. It is a simple material, found in graphite pencils and fireplace soot. Diamonds were formed, and crystallized eons ago under incredible heat 
and pressure deep in the earth. During the earths growing phase millions of years ago, great volcanic forces pushed the "blue earth" containing diamonds to the surface where 
they were scattered along rivers and into the oceans. In 1870, in South Africa a diamond was found in the earth far from a river source, and the practice of dry-digging for diamonds was born. These were the beginnings of modern mining.


Many early cultures and many countries used diamonds for their own reasons, each with their own meanings. Ancient man used the raw diamond to create tools and carvings. 
For example, when tribes in Africa and the Middle East expanded their trade with one another, these rare stones became a mode of exchange, the world's first hard currency. 
The symbols and representations of the Diamond are expansive and individual. For some it meant the key to magic, healing, protection and even poisoning. To others its wealth, 
prosperity, status, and everlasting love. It was even said that in ancient Greece and Rome Cupids' arrows were tipped with diamonds which had an effect equal to nothing. They have been the strength, power and symbols of Kings and Queens, the ruin of kingdoms, and the teardrops of forgotten Gods.


Today one of the most common uses of the Diamond from a sociological aspect is in the Wedding, Engagement ring. Even in the 2nd Century Rome the ring was used in the ceremony 
before the Emperor and his blessing. The custom was then continued and mostly Christianized by the 4th century by St. Augustine. Byzantine wedding rings are thick gold bands with round or oval bezels depicting the couple face to face, or 
receiving Christ's blessing of their eternal union. Today the Diamond Ring, commits a man and a woman to each other with the expression of strength, purity, brilliance and the indestructible bond of love. 

Below is a brief look at the history & evolution of the Diamond :

3.3 Billion years ago 
Almost 200 km below the earth’s surface carbon began to evolve under extreme pressure and heat, the beginnings of the formation of the most valued commodity on earth, the Diamond. 

322 BC - 185 BC 
Diamonds begin to appear in Europe as accent decoration in other forms of Jewelry. King Louis IX of France bestows rarity to diamonds and establishes intrinsic value on them. Within 100 years diamonds appeared in royal jewelry of both men and women, then among the greater European aristocracy. 

1214-1300 A.D 
The earliest diamond-cutting industry is believed to have been in Venice, a trade capital, starting sometime after 1330. 

1477 
The Archduke Maximillian of Austria “proposes” to his wife to be Mary of Burgundy with a Diamond Ring, a symbol of his betrothal. Hence the first recorded engagement ring. It was worn on the 3rd finger of the right hand, in order to be against a specific vein that goes directly to the heart. 

l550 
Antwerp Belgium, the most important diamond center of the period, where a Diamond-cutters' Guild was soon to be established. 

1600 – 1750 
The Diamond was the first and foremost symbol of ultimate wealth and prosperity in Europe. India was the only know source of Diamonds. Brazil was soon to follow. 

1860 
A discovery of diamonds near Hopetown, south of Kimberley in South Africa, gives birth to the modern diamond industry. The 1870s and 1880s in the Northern Cape saw a mad rush to the newly discovered diamond fields. 

1905 
The world's largest gem quality diamond, the Cullinan, was found in South Africa. Uncut, it weighed 3025 carats. It was presented to King Edward VII for his 66th birthday. 

1939 
The criteria for Diamonds established. The standards and the 4 C’s, Cut, Color, Carat, and Clarity are published. 

1967 - 2000 
Botswana becomes the largest producer of Diamonds by value in the world. The Centenary, found in 1986, was polished from a 599 carat gem. The rough diamond was cut into various stones, the largest of which bears the name Centenary and, at 273 carats, is the Largest Modern Cut, Top Color, Flawless Diamond in the world. 


The legacy of the Diamond will continue. It existed at the dawn of civilized man and will adorn for years to come. It will be part of Weddings, celebrations, a part of love and prosperity, a part of intrigue and beauty and a part of every woman’s heart that keeps one on her finger. Men will always swear love by it, and love will always maintain the brilliance of earth’s great gift, the Diamond.


Diamond Formation:

Diamonds were formed under immense heat and pressure hundreds of miles below the sea level. Volcanic explosions forced them upwards after nearly 100 million years of 
formation. The diamonds were formed more than 70 million years ago when volcanic explosions brought this diamond bearing ore to the surface. After the cooling of 
the magma, it solidified into a blue mass, or kimberlite, where the precious rough diamonds are still found today. Rated 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, diamonds are the hardest substances on earth, but their appeal goes far beyond durability. 

Approximately 250 tons of ore must be mined and processed in order to produce a single, one-carat, polished, gem-quality diamond. This is what makes them so valuable and unique. 
The first diamond mining endeavors were undertaken nearly 4000 years ago in ancient India . Modern mining started in the 19th century in South Africa . Botswana , 
Russia , South Africa , Angola , Namibia , Australia and Zaire are among the top diamond producing nations, accounting for nearly 80% of the world's rough diamond supply.


Aura of Diamonds 

The cultural alignment with diamonds has been there throughout the centuries. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed diamonds were tears of the Gods and splinters from falling stars. Then, the Hindus attributed so much power to these precious stones they went so far as to place diamonds in the eyes of some of their statues . 

Diamonds were thought to bring about luck and success and also change the course of astrological events. Many ancient people wore diamonds as charms believing in their 
ability to heighten sexual prowess and attract others. Plato even wrote about diamonds as living beings, embodying celestial spirits. 

Diamond rings have been witnesses to the talismanic power of diamonds in the middle and dark ages. In the middle Ages and Renaissance period, every ring set with a precious 
stone was not considered so much as a piece of jewelry, but more as an amulet that conveyed magical powers like fearlessness and invincibility upon the wearer. This myth laid the groundwork for monarchs to begin wearing diamonds as symbols of power. 

Diamonds today are cherished for their astonishing natural beauty and their aura of being such a special and magical gift. As of today a diamond is more than just a jewel it is the ultimate symbol of love.