The word "Diamond"
The word "Diamond" comes from the Greek word adamastos meaning "unrelenting, unconquerable", which originally meant a state of being to which every man should aspire. Adamas was the name of the strongest metal with which the weapons of the gods are forged, and adamas came to also apply to diamond. |
 The history of diamonds
The history of diamonds is almost as long as the history of civilisation, and is deeply interwoven into many cultures and traditions.
Ancient Age
Diamonds were first mined in India, and it is from there that the first known reference to diamond is made in a Sanskrit manuscript, the Arthsastra ("The Lesson of Profit") by Kautiliya, a minister to Chandragupta of the Mauryan dynasty (322 BC - 185 BC) in northern India. Plato even wrote about diamonds as living beings, embodying celestial spirits.
It was'nt until the Middle Ages that diamonds first began appearing in European regalia and jewellery, often set among pearls in splendid wrought gold. However, only men wore them!
Middle Ages
In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period rings set with precious stones were not seen so much as jewellery, but more of an amulet that bestowed magical powers like fearlessness, invincibility and sexual prowess and ability to attract others.
Not only was it believed that diamonds could bring luck and success, but also that they could counter the effects of astrological events. These myths laid the groundwork for monarchs to begin wearing diamonds as symbols of power.
King Louis IX of France (1214-1270) valued diamonds so highly that he established a law reserving diamonds for the king alone. However, Within 100 year’s diamonds appeared in royal jewellery of both men and women, then among the greater European aristocracy.
16th - 19th Century
It wasn't until the 16th century that Diamond could first be cut and polished; thereby yielding it's beauty. The Ancient Greeks wore Diamonds into battle on their shields believing the stones could lend them their invincibility. In medieval times, uncut octahedron Diamond crystals were set into rings, and their exposed points earned these rings the name "Glass Cutter Rings."
By the 18th century, the diamond came to represent the ultimate symbol of wealth and power. It was not until the mid-nineteenth century Agnes Sorel, mistress to King Charles VII of France, began wearing diamonds, which began a new fashion for women.
In the 17th and 18th centuries the diamond presided as the ultimate in representing all that was wealth, prestige and power, and the huge import of diamonds during this period was nothing short of revolutionary.
Some Famous Diamonds
Kohinoor
Origin: India ~1304 AD
Weight: 108.93 carats
Current Location: England (Royal Crown)
www.royal.gov.uk
Historical Perspective: Kohinoor means "mountain
of light" and it was thought that whoever possessed
it would rule the world. It is regarded as one of the
most famous diamonds in history. The British
empire took possession of this gem in 1849 during
its conquest of India and it was presented to Queen
Victoria in 1850. Today is remains part of the Royal
Crown jewels, but not without controversy as to why
it has not been returned to India (The World's Most
Sought After Diamond).The stone is set in the
Maltese Cross at the front of the crown made for
Queen Elizabeth (the late Queen Mother). |
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Cullinan I (Greater Star of Africa)
Origin: South Africa 1905
Weight: 530.2 carats
Current Location: England (Royal Crown)
www.royal.gov.uk
Historical Perspective: Cullinan I, also referred to as
the Greater Star of Africa, is the second largest
known cut diamond in existence. It is actually part of
The Cullinan which was a massive 3,106 carats
(uncut) diamond discovered in the Premier Mine of
South Africa in 1905. This diamond was ultimately
cleaved into 9 large pieces of which the Cullinan I
and II are the largest. The stone is set in the Royal
Scepter and is part of the British Royal Jewelry
Collection |
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Cullinan II (Lesser Star of Africa)
Origin: South Africa 1905
Weight: 317.4 carats
Current Location: England (Royal Crown)
www.royal.gov.uk
Historical Perspective: Cullinan II, also referred to
as the Lesser Star of Africa, is the third largest
known cut diamond in existence. It is part of The
Cullinan which was a massive 3,106 carats (uncut)
diamond discovered in the Premier Mine of South
Africa in 1905. This diamond was ultimately cleaved
into 9 large pieces of which the Cullinan I and II are
the largest. The stone is set in Queen Elizabeth II's
Imperial State Crown of Great Britain |
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Centenary
Origin: South Africa 1986
Weight: 273.85 carats
Current Location: Unknown
Historical Perspective: The discovery of this original
gem was made in 1986 in the Premier Mine of
South Africa. Also, the discovery site of The
Cullinan. It was unveiled at the 100 year anniversary
gala of De Beers in 1988 after having been crafted
into its current cut appearance by Gabi Tolkowsky.
Regarded as one of the most accomplished
diamond cutters in the world, his family had long
been in the diamond trade. It was his great-uncle,
Marcel Tolkowsky, diamond expert and
mathematician, who authored the publicationDiamond Design in 1919 that is still today's basis
for round brilliant diamond cuts. |
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