DYNAMIC DIAMOND: BIRTHSTONE FOR APRIL
She who from April dates her years,
Diamonds shall wear.
Innocent or repentant,
Sun and shower;
Wears a diamond
As her dower.
Author: Unknown; Source: Tiffany & Co
“Sparkling with an internal fire, a diamond is one of the world’s most sought-after and adored gemstones.” is the GIA’s (Gemology Institute of America) description of this unique gem.
A diamond symbolizes strength, perseverance, courage, elegance and luxury. According to folklore, wearing a diamond protects the wearer from physical harm and curses. It is also believed to promote mental clarity that helps you to overcome life’s difficulties and challenges.
“The evil eye shall have no power to harm
Him that shall wear the diamond as a charm.”
Anon
Ancient beliefs
In the time of the Pharaohs, 3000 BC, a diamond was placed in the middle of the ankh - a cross with a loop on top. This was the Egyptian hieroglyph meaning life. Diamonds represent the sun, a symbol of power, courage and truth.
Ancient India
The Hindoes, who were known to use diamonds in the eyes of their statues, believed that diamonds were created when bolts of lightning strike rock.
Ancient Greeks and Romans
They believed that diamonds were the tears of the gods or splinters that had broken off of falling stars. Romans also believed that Cupid's arrows were tipped with diamonds and the Greek philosopher Plato, wrote about the idea of diamonds as living beings that embodied celestial spirits.
In the 8th century BC, the diamond became synonymous with the term Adamas, the Greek word meaning unconquerable and invincible. The legend goes that Chronos had changed a young man called Adamas into a precious stone. He possessed unbelievable strength and good fortune, was seen as an antidote for poisons and reinforced the love between couples. In ancient times, kings led wars wearing leather breastplates studded with diamonds because they believed that diamonds possessed magical qualities and superpowers far beyond the understanding of humans.
In the Middle Ages, diamonds were believed to have exceptional healing powers and to have the ability to cure almost any sickness. It wasn't until the Renaissance when Pope Clement VII died after he swallowed a medicine made with powdered diamond, that people changed their opinion.
Jewish high priests used diamonds to determine if someone accused of a crime, was guilty or innocent. A diamond was placed before the person and then questioned. The more innocent the person, the brighter the diamond would sparkle, but when the person was guilty. the diamond would dull.
A diamond is the hardest stone of all and scores a 10 on the Moh scale of hardness. (Both Sapphire and Ruby measure just below with 9.) A natural diamond takes millions of years to form. Cutting a diamond to reveal its sparkle the best, requires knowledge and years of craftsmanship. Only one in a million rough diamonds are large enough to produce a one-carat diamond.
The history of the world is intertwined with that of the diamond as it fascinated and enchanted people as soon as it was discovered. The first diamonds were probably those found in the rivers and streams of India and were traded as early as the 4th century BC. Diamonds were scarce and were coveted by royalty and the wealthy.
Diamonds from the past worn today by royalty and movie stars
Caravans from India transported diamonds and other exotic merchandise to medieval markets in Venice from where it was distributed to the rest of Europe. The diamond supplies from India started dwindling in the 1700s and Brazil emerged as an important source. The discovery of diamonds in Kimberly, South Africa in the late 1860s, marked the beginning of the modern diamond market.
Coloured Diamonds
Coloured Diamonds are more expensive than white diamonds because they are even rarer. Red and green are the rarest colour of diamonds. Ben Affleck proposed to Jennifer Lopez the second time around with a rare green diamond. (The first time he chose a huge pink one.)
Black diamonds are rarer than coloured diamonds but are less expensive than other diamonds because of supply and demand.
The tradition of wearing a diamond as an engagement ring was started in 1477 when Mary, Duchess of Burgandy, received a diamond engagement ring from Archduke Maximillian of Austria. Only the very rich could afford a diamond for years, but it became common practice as it became more affordable, albeit still expensive. An engagement ring is traditionally worn on the third left finger, dating back to the ancient Egyptians who believed that the "vein of love" linked the heart and the ring finger.
The use of alternate stones like Moissanite (which is not a fake diamond, but a stone in its own right), for engagement rings is becoming more popular. It measures 9.25 on the Moh scale and its sparkle is just as good as that of a diamond. Moissanite’s lower price is not a reflection of its quality, but simply a reflection of supply and demand.
Lab-grown diamonds, another slightly less expensive option than natural diamonds for engagement rings, have the same composition as a natural diamond. The only difference is that in nature, a diamond takes millions of years to form, whereas a diamond takes about six weeks to be grown in a lab.
From Shirley Bassey’s “Diamonds are forever” to Rihanna’s “Shine like a diamond”, there are thousands of songs about this mesmerizing gem. Diamond phrases and quotes like “A diamond in the rough”, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend”, and “A diamond is forever”, are frequently used.
Enjoy your diamonds every day
Wearing diamonds every day became fashionable in the 70s and 80s. Chris Evert started wearing a diamond bracelet while playing tennis and Elsa Perreti desgned "Diamonds by the yard" pieces for Tiffanys.
When Chris Evert started wearing a bracelet of diamonds on the tennis court in Wimbledon in the 1970s, it was dubbed the "tennis bracelet" and that is what this elegant piece of jewellery is called to this day. Along with so many others, I am also fascinated by diamonds and I treasure the ones I have received or collected over many years. Whether they possess any magical qualities or not, they are beautiful and mine has sentimental value.
The price of diamonds is regulated by cartels like De Beers by controlling the flow of rough stones available in the market. In my opinion, every South African who wants one, should be enabled by our government to get a one-carat diamond. If they can give away a huge diamond (the Cullinan diamond 317.4carats) to the queen of England, I think the queens of South Africa where it is mined, deserve at least one carat!
With that wishful thinking, I hope you sparkle bright like a diamond today!
Till we chat again.
Shirley Rose
Sources: www.gia.edu.com; www.capetowndiamondmuseum.org; www.gemsociety.org; Wikipedia; www.heart-in-diamond.com; Pinterest for pictures