Diamond Story 1-Understanding the ‘King of Gems’
Diamond, often referred to as the ‘King of Gems’ or ‘The Flower of Gems,’ is a symbol of love and commitment, making it a popular choice for engagement rings and wedding jewelry. Historically, diamonds were exclusive to royalty and nobles, believed to protect the wearer from harm and symbolize eternal love.
Diamonds are valued not only by their weight but also by factors such as color, clarity, cut, and style. In the 17th century, Venetian jeweler Vincenzo Peruzzi developed the ‘Brilliant Cut,’ a method that maximizes the stone’s brilliance by cutting it into 58 facets based on mathematical proportions. This process enhances the stone’s dazzling light reflection, creating unparalleled sparkle.
A diamond is composed entirely of carbon, with its atoms forming a perfect tetrahedral structure—making it the hardest natural substance on Earth. Diamonds were first discovered in India around 800 BCE, and today, they are mined in regions such as South Africa, Brazil, Russia, and Canada.
The tradition of using diamonds in engagement rings began when Archduke Maximilian of Austria gifted a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy in the 15th century, symbolizing his proposal. Diamonds have since become the most sought-after symbol of enduring love and victory.
In addition, the Hope Diamond, a mysterious deep blue stone from India, is known for its legendary curse, which is said to bring misfortune to its possessors.
Diamonds are weighed in carats (ct), a term derived from the Greek word for carob seeds, which were historically used as a standard measurement for gemstones. One carat equals 0.2 grams. Interestingly, only about 20% of mined diamonds are used in jewelry, while the remaining 80% are utilized in industrial applications for cutting, grinding, and polishing.
Diamonds are the most valuable natural substance, making them a symbol of not only beauty but also strength and resilience. In the next issue, we’ll dive deeper into how diamonds are selected, the different designs available, and more.
