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The History of Loose Diamonds |
The History of Diamonds |
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Diamonds are ancient, made eons of years ago. Long before man walked the earth. Long before the dinosaurs roamed the earth. Every diamond is billions of years old. A diamonds is referred to as the imperishable stone. The name derivation is proof of its supreme features as “inconquerable” or “invicible”, the translation of its Greek name, adamas. It was about 2500-3000 years ago that it was discovered in India. There and then, diamonds served two purposes: one, as religious icon or talisman to ward off evil forces and two, as a decoration. In the Dark Ages, the mystical powers of the diamond reached high enough to make people use them as a medical aid. There were those who ingested it to cure illnesses. Others believed holding a diamond while making the signs of the cross would render that person’s health totally restored. Such belief extended into the Middle Ages. In fact it was reported that Pope Clement unsuccessfully used this diamond treatment. Heightened public awareness on the supposedly medicinal properties of the diamonds forced diamond mine owners to circulate myths that diamonds were poisonous. This was to deter mine workers from swallowing and eventually, smuggling them. It was also in the Middle Ages that the popularity of diamonds surged, especially with the discovery of the famous Kohinoor and the Blue Hope. The first record of diamond polishing, however, was not in Europe but in India, probably in the 14th century. During these times, the real beauty of diamonds was not fully revealed and maximized. It was only in the 16th century, around 1550, when the earliest reference to diamond cutting was made. It was in Antwerp, then considered the most important diamond center in the world. Antwerp later housed the diamond cutters’ guild. Due to increasing demands, the supply of diamonds in India and in other locations like Borneo and Brazil began to dwindle. Then in 1866 near Orange River in South Africa, a new deposit was found. A 21-carat diamond was discovered by a young boy along the banks of the Val River. Amidst the declining supply, this 1866 discovery steered the biggest diamond rush in the world. Soon, diamonds along the Val and Orange Rivers swarmed with diamond diggers. In addition to these coastlines, diamond-bearing layer of blue-grey rock, also known as kimberlite, was discovered. This rock is located in circular “pipes”, mouths of extinct volcanoes that are several hundred feet deep. However, the richest deposit was found only recently. In October 2, 1979, the Argyle pipe near Lake Argyle was discovered. Argyle, alone, supplies one third of the world’s requirements. Because of their exceedingly high value, the use of diamonds was only for those with both wealth and power. King Louis XI of France passed a law in 1283 prohibiting commoners from wearing diamonds. Furthermore in all those times, diamond was worn only by men. It was only in the 19th century that women, initiated by Agnes Sorel, mistress to King Charles VII of France, began wearing diamonds. For many years now, diamonds do not only satiate man’s craving for luxury fashion and gem investment. Diamonds also serve many industries. Such a thing of beauty does indeed create beauty in so many things around us. |
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3/10/2010 8:16:56 |