Diamond History
Diamonds were formed thousands of years ago under enormous heat and pressure deep in the earth. Great volcanic eruptions many years ago forced the earth containing diamonds to the surface where they were scattered along rivers and into the oceans.
The earliest diamonds were discovered in India, in around 800 B.C. These deposits were rich enough to supply most of the world's diamonds until the eighteenth century.
Only about one-fifth of all mined diamonds could be considered of gem quality. On average, 250 tons of ore must be mined and processed to produce a one carat diamond of gem quality. When the mining operation is completed, sorters look at rough diamonds, separating them into small piles by shape, size, and quality.
The earliest record of diamond-polishing is Indian, dating back to the fourteenth century. The earliest reference to diamond cutting is in l550 in Antwerp, the most influential diamond center of the time, where a diamond-cutters' guild was subsequently established.
Today, approximately 90 percent of all diamond jewelry, including diamond engagement rings, wedding engagement rings, and diamond rings, are made from diamonds mined in African countries. The remaining diamond rough is mined in Australia, South America, Canada and Russia.
The word "diamond" comes from the Greek word "adamas" which means unconquerable. This was a reference to the eternity of love. In the year 1477, Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy. Most diamond experts agree that this marked the beginning of the tradition of diamond engagement rings. The reason a woman wears her diamond engagement ring on the third finger of her left hand dates back to the Egyptian belief that the vena amoris (vein of love) ran from the heart to the top of that particular finger.
In 1939 De Beers created the criteria for loose diamonds to asses the gem quality by a combination of four factors. These are called the 4C's, referring to the diamonds Cut, Color, Carat and clarity
Among the most well known diamonds is the Hope. This 45.52 carat steel blue diamond is currently on display at the Smithsonian. The legends of the ill-fortune and curse bestowed on the possessor of the Hope Diamond are many. This diamond was donated to the Smithsonian in 1958. The Hope was originally a rather flat, blocky 110-carat rough.
famous diamonds:
It is fascinating to look at the histories of some of the world's most famous diamonds and the people who owned them. For example, Koh-I-Noor (Mountain of Light) was first mentioned in 1304, it weighed 186 carats and was an oval cut stone. Some affordable replica are now available in museum stores.
The Dresden Green stands out among the natural colored diamonds. It is the largest green diamond in the world weighing 40.70 carats. This diamond is historic, large and has a natural green color with a slight blue overtone. These facts make it virtually priceless.
The Conde Pink is a pear shaped and weighs 9.01-carats. This pink diamond was once owned by Louis XIII.
The Tiffany Yellow diamond a beautiful canary-yellow octahedron weighing 287.42 in the rough (metric) carats discovered in either 1877 or 1878 in South Africa. The gem after cutting boasts the extraordinary weight of 128.54 carats. And until recently, was the largest golden-yellow in the world.
The Koh-I-Noor ( ountain of Light) is now among the British Crown Jewels. This diamond weighs 105.60 carats. First mentioned in 1304, it is believed to have been once set in Shah Jehan‘s famous peacock throne as one of the peacocks eyes.
The Agra is graded as a naturally colored Fancy Light Pink and weighs 32.34 carats. It was sold for about 6.9 million in 1990. Since this sale, it has been modified to a cushion shape weighing about 28.15 carats.
The Transvaal Blue is pear cut. This blue diamond weighs 25 carats. It was found in the Premier Diamond Mine in Transvaal, South Africa.
The Great Chrysanthemum was discovered in the summer of 1963, in a South African diamond field. This 198.28-carat fancy brown diamond appeared to be a light honey color in its rough state. However, after cutting, it proved to be a rich golden brown, with overtones of sienna and burnt orange.
The Taylor-Burton Diamond is a pear-shaped 69.42 carat diamond. Cartier of New York purchased this diamond at an auction in 1969 and christened it "Cartier." The next day Richard Burton bought the diamond for Elizabeth Taylor. He renamed it the "Taylor-Burton”. In 1978, Elizabeth Taylor put the diamond up for sale. Prospective buyers had to pay $2,500 each to view the diamond to cover the costs of showing it. Finally, in June of 1979, the diamond was sold for nearly $3 million dollars.
Is there anyone who hasn't at least heard of the famous Hope Diamond? Many people are surprised when they first learn that this famous stone isn't a clear diamond, but instead is a brilliant blue stone, surrounded by white diamonds and suspended from a diamond necklace.
The Hope Diamond:
a large blue diamond with a remarkable history. It first appears in history in the mid 1600s when it was purchased by a merchant named Jean Baptiste Tavernier, who sold the stone to Louis XIV of France. At that time it was a 112-carat stone, described as having a beautiful violet color. It was recut into a 67-carat stone and the color was named French Blue. During the French Revolution, the diamond was stolen during a looting of the crown jewels. It reappeared in 1812, but recut once again and was acquired by George IV of England who had to sell the stone to pay off debts. The exact transaction is unknown, but the diamond is next found as an entry in the collection of Henry Philip Hope, whose name is attached to the diamond to this day. The blue Hope Diamond, which is set in a necklace with other diamonds, is well-known for its history and the alleged curse connected with it.
Eventually the stone was owned by the Cartier jewelry firm in Paris and purchased by Evalyn Walsh Maclean of Washington, DC. It was at her request that the stone was reset and made into the necklace that we know of today. It was acquired by Henry Winston who purchased it from Mrs. Maclean's estate in 1947 and eventually became part of the Smithsonian Collection. The blue Hope Diamond, most famous for its long history and mysterious curse, actually has interesting electrical properties of interest to scientists.
There is a long-standing legend of a curse attached to the Hope Diamond, which the story says was plucked from an idol in India. True or not, many who have owned the Hope Diamond have met with misfortune, including the Hope family, who supposedly went bankrupt from owning the diamond. It's possible that the whole concept of the curse originated with Pierre Cartier who sold it to Mrs. Maclean with the story of a curse, because she thought objects surrounded with bad luck were actually good luck for her. Sadly, Mrs. Maclean's first son was killed at age 9 in a car accident and her 25-year old daughter committed suicide. Her husband was declared insane and was institutionalized until his death in 1941. Was it part of a curse?
You just dropped several large bills to get your beloved (or maybe yourself!) a diamond or diamonds that take your breath away. That kind of investment deserves some careful attention, and that's the subject of discussion. To make your diamonds last a lifetime, there are several areas, some obvious, some not; that you need to keep in mind. While diamonds may be the hardest compound on earth, they still need some loving care.
There are cleaning, checking your settings, security and traveling.
CLEANING YOUR DIAMONDS Your diamonds can get pretty grotesque with day to day wear. Lotions, harsh soaps, food and even the oils from your skin can contribute to a less than lustrous diamond. Here are the four most popular ways to clean your diamonds at home. 1-Give them a mild detergent bath, gently using a small soft brush to wash away loose impediments. Be careful to do this in a small bowl away from the sink as the only thing worse than a filthy diamond is a lost one! 2-Soak them in solution of half ammonia and half cold water for about 30 minutes. Be sure to only use a soft bristled brush as it's possible to scratch your diamonds.
3-use one of the Quick Dip solutions sold in stores. Follow the directions and be sure not to handle the clean diamonds with your fingers, ruining all your hard work. Pick your diamond jewelry up by it's edges.
4-Ultrasonic cleaning. There's lot's of these small machines that will clean your diamond jewelry in a snap. Just be sure and follow directions, as each machine is different.
CHECKING YOUR DIAMOND SETTINGS At least once a year have your diamond jewelry settings checked by a reputable jeweler. Have them check for a secure placement, particularly if your diamond is set in soft metals such as 24k gold.
DIAMOND SECURITY Some thoughts on securing your diamonds. Keep your diamond jewelry in soft fabric covered jewelry boxes, preferably with individual compartments. One of the only things that can cut a diamond is another diamond, so keep them away from each other. don't wear it when doing hard heavy work. It's possible to chip your diamond with a hard glancing blow. Keep your treasures away from small, playful fingers. If you have a large amount, consider videotaping or digitally storing photos of your gems for insurance purposes. And be smart: don't wear your 15 carat diamond necklace to a Raider game and expect to make anything but a lot of new friends!
TRAVELING WITH DIAMONDS When traveling, store your diamonds in soft jewelry bags, individually, and use a specially designed jewelry travel case if you can get one. They are made for this purpose, and are handy indeed.
A piece of diamond jewelry means many things to many people. Diamonds are a symbol of great affection. Please honor those who gave this gift to you by giving your diamonds careful and regular care and attention and you'll be rewarded with a lifetime with a lifetime of sparkle!
Diamonds were formed thousands of years ago under enormous heat and pressure deep in the earth. Great volcanic eruptions many years ago forced the earth containing diamonds to the surface where they were scattered along rivers and into the oceans.
The earliest diamonds were discovered in India, in around 800 B.C. These deposits were rich enough to supply most of the world's diamonds until the eighteenth century.
Only about one-fifth of all mined diamonds could be considered of gem quality. On average, 250 tons of ore must be mined and processed to produce a one carat diamond of gem quality. When the mining operation is completed, sorters look at rough diamonds, separating them into small piles by shape, size, and quality.
The earliest record of diamond-polishing is Indian, dating back to the fourteenth century. The earliest reference to diamond cutting is in l550 in Antwerp, the most influential diamond center of the time, where a diamond-cutters' guild was subsequently established.
Today, approximately 90 percent of all diamond jewelry, including diamond engagement rings, wedding engagement rings, and diamond rings, are made from diamonds mined in African countries. The remaining diamond rough is mined in Australia, South America, Canada and Russia.
The word "diamond" comes from the Greek word "adamas" which means unconquerable. This was a reference to the eternity of love. In the year 1477, Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy. Most diamond experts agree that this marked the beginning of the tradition of diamond engagement rings. The reason a woman wears her diamond engagement ring on the third finger of her left hand dates back to the Egyptian belief that the vena amoris (vein of love) ran from the heart to the top of that particular finger.
In 1939 De Beers created the criteria for loose diamonds to asses the gem quality by a combination of four factors. These are called the 4C's, referring to the diamonds Cut, Color, Carat and clarity
Among the most well known diamonds is the Hope. This 45.52 carat steel blue diamond is currently on display at the Smithsonian. The legends of the ill-fortune and curse bestowed on the possessor of the Hope Diamond are many. This diamond was donated to the Smithsonian in 1958. The Hope was originally a rather flat, blocky 110-carat rough.
famous diamonds:
It is fascinating to look at the histories of some of the world's most famous diamonds and the people who owned them. For example, Koh-I-Noor (Mountain of Light) was first mentioned in 1304, it weighed 186 carats and was an oval cut stone. Some affordable replica are now available in museum stores.
The Dresden Green stands out among the natural colored diamonds. It is the largest green diamond in the world weighing 40.70 carats. This diamond is historic, large and has a natural green color with a slight blue overtone. These facts make it virtually priceless.
The Conde Pink is a pear shaped and weighs 9.01-carats. This pink diamond was once owned by Louis XIII.
The Tiffany Yellow diamond a beautiful canary-yellow octahedron weighing 287.42 in the rough (metric) carats discovered in either 1877 or 1878 in South Africa. The gem after cutting boasts the extraordinary weight of 128.54 carats. And until recently, was the largest golden-yellow in the world.
The Koh-I-Noor ( ountain of Light) is now among the British Crown Jewels. This diamond weighs 105.60 carats. First mentioned in 1304, it is believed to have been once set in Shah Jehan‘s famous peacock throne as one of the peacocks eyes.
The Agra is graded as a naturally colored Fancy Light Pink and weighs 32.34 carats. It was sold for about 6.9 million in 1990. Since this sale, it has been modified to a cushion shape weighing about 28.15 carats.
The Transvaal Blue is pear cut. This blue diamond weighs 25 carats. It was found in the Premier Diamond Mine in Transvaal, South Africa.
The Great Chrysanthemum was discovered in the summer of 1963, in a South African diamond field. This 198.28-carat fancy brown diamond appeared to be a light honey color in its rough state. However, after cutting, it proved to be a rich golden brown, with overtones of sienna and burnt orange.
The Taylor-Burton Diamond is a pear-shaped 69.42 carat diamond. Cartier of New York purchased this diamond at an auction in 1969 and christened it "Cartier." The next day Richard Burton bought the diamond for Elizabeth Taylor. He renamed it the "Taylor-Burton”. In 1978, Elizabeth Taylor put the diamond up for sale. Prospective buyers had to pay $2,500 each to view the diamond to cover the costs of showing it. Finally, in June of 1979, the diamond was sold for nearly $3 million dollars.
Is there anyone who hasn't at least heard of the famous Hope Diamond? Many people are surprised when they first learn that this famous stone isn't a clear diamond, but instead is a brilliant blue stone, surrounded by white diamonds and suspended from a diamond necklace.
The Hope Diamond:
a large blue diamond with a remarkable history. It first appears in history in the mid 1600s when it was purchased by a merchant named Jean Baptiste Tavernier, who sold the stone to Louis XIV of France. At that time it was a 112-carat stone, described as having a beautiful violet color. It was recut into a 67-carat stone and the color was named French Blue. During the French Revolution, the diamond was stolen during a looting of the crown jewels. It reappeared in 1812, but recut once again and was acquired by George IV of England who had to sell the stone to pay off debts. The exact transaction is unknown, but the diamond is next found as an entry in the collection of Henry Philip Hope, whose name is attached to the diamond to this day. The blue Hope Diamond, which is set in a necklace with other diamonds, is well-known for its history and the alleged curse connected with it.
Eventually the stone was owned by the Cartier jewelry firm in Paris and purchased by Evalyn Walsh Maclean of Washington, DC. It was at her request that the stone was reset and made into the necklace that we know of today. It was acquired by Henry Winston who purchased it from Mrs. Maclean's estate in 1947 and eventually became part of the Smithsonian Collection. The blue Hope Diamond, most famous for its long history and mysterious curse, actually has interesting electrical properties of interest to scientists.
There is a long-standing legend of a curse attached to the Hope Diamond, which the story says was plucked from an idol in India. True or not, many who have owned the Hope Diamond have met with misfortune, including the Hope family, who supposedly went bankrupt from owning the diamond. It's possible that the whole concept of the curse originated with Pierre Cartier who sold it to Mrs. Maclean with the story of a curse, because she thought objects surrounded with bad luck were actually good luck for her. Sadly, Mrs. Maclean's first son was killed at age 9 in a car accident and her 25-year old daughter committed suicide. Her husband was declared insane and was institutionalized until his death in 1941. Was it part of a curse?
You just dropped several large bills to get your beloved (or maybe yourself!) a diamond or diamonds that take your breath away. That kind of investment deserves some careful attention, and that's the subject of discussion. To make your diamonds last a lifetime, there are several areas, some obvious, some not; that you need to keep in mind. While diamonds may be the hardest compound on earth, they still need some loving care.
There are cleaning, checking your settings, security and traveling.
CLEANING YOUR DIAMONDS Your diamonds can get pretty grotesque with day to day wear. Lotions, harsh soaps, food and even the oils from your skin can contribute to a less than lustrous diamond. Here are the four most popular ways to clean your diamonds at home. 1-Give them a mild detergent bath, gently using a small soft brush to wash away loose impediments. Be careful to do this in a small bowl away from the sink as the only thing worse than a filthy diamond is a lost one! 2-Soak them in solution of half ammonia and half cold water for about 30 minutes. Be sure to only use a soft bristled brush as it's possible to scratch your diamonds.
3-use one of the Quick Dip solutions sold in stores. Follow the directions and be sure not to handle the clean diamonds with your fingers, ruining all your hard work. Pick your diamond jewelry up by it's edges.
4-Ultrasonic cleaning. There's lot's of these small machines that will clean your diamond jewelry in a snap. Just be sure and follow directions, as each machine is different.
CHECKING YOUR DIAMOND SETTINGS At least once a year have your diamond jewelry settings checked by a reputable jeweler. Have them check for a secure placement, particularly if your diamond is set in soft metals such as 24k gold.
DIAMOND SECURITY Some thoughts on securing your diamonds. Keep your diamond jewelry in soft fabric covered jewelry boxes, preferably with individual compartments. One of the only things that can cut a diamond is another diamond, so keep them away from each other. don't wear it when doing hard heavy work. It's possible to chip your diamond with a hard glancing blow. Keep your treasures away from small, playful fingers. If you have a large amount, consider videotaping or digitally storing photos of your gems for insurance purposes. And be smart: don't wear your 15 carat diamond necklace to a Raider game and expect to make anything but a lot of new friends!
TRAVELING WITH DIAMONDS When traveling, store your diamonds in soft jewelry bags, individually, and use a specially designed jewelry travel case if you can get one. They are made for this purpose, and are handy indeed.
A piece of diamond jewelry means many things to many people. Diamonds are a symbol of great affection. Please honor those who gave this gift to you by giving your diamonds careful and regular care and attention and you'll be rewarded with a lifetime with a lifetime of sparkle!
