The Basics of the Beautiful Diamond
The subject of this article is the most precious of all gemstones…the diamond. We start off by exploring some of the various myths that have been associated with the diamond over the years, and then start to evaluate some of the finer properties.
The diamond has been coveted and lusted after since the early years of man. In the Middle Ages, the uncut version of the diamond adorned the armor of knights. Their “cut” counterparts were used to adorn the crowns of both kings and queens. Today, the diamond is renowned as the international symbol of love and romance. Investors are interested in these gemstones as well…they are great investments to anyone’s portfolio.
Diamonds were thought to have been endowed with magical powers in times gone by. Merely by possessing a diamond (it was thought), the holder would be endowed with the three attributes of courage, superior strength, and bravery. This is the main reason that knights wore this gemstone on their armor. It was also thought that the diamond could ward off evil creatures from the spirit realm, and the devil himself.
The diamond has been attributed to many different things over the years. For example: (1) Sexual Prowess, (3) Sleepwalking, (2) Spiritual Ecstasy, and (4) Invincibility. In order for the holder of the diamond to benefit from these attributes, they would have had to have found the diamond in the wild, its natural location. If the diamond was purchased from another person, then this “contract” would be void. One exception was if the diamond was offered in an exchange of love or friendship (for example, an engagement ring). In this particular case, the magical powers that were associated to the diamond may return.
Four separate castes, that’s how the Hindus classified the diamond. The categories were: (1) The Kshatiya, a brown/champagne colored diamond that prevented old age. (2) The Brahmin diamond, a colorless diamond that provided riches, power, friends, and good luck. (3) The Sudra, a diamond that was gray or black and glistened like a polished piece of metal, which brought about good fortune. (4) The Vasiya, a diamond the color of the “kodali flower” which brought success. Yellow and red diamonds are also available, but they were the exclusive gems of kings.
The simplest gemstone in the world. Do you know what it is? It’s the diamond (surprise, surprise). A diamond is composed of just plain ole’ crystallized carbon…the same substance that is found in our lead pencils. Since pencils are infinitely more inexpensive than diamonds, it’s the crystallized pattern of the diamond that makes the difference. This is the reason that this gemstone is so prized by collectors.
The diamond is the hardest known substance, but it can be cut or chipped…if it is hit from a certain angle that is. It’s this ability to be “chipped” that permits a gemologist to create the beautiful “cut” versions of the diamond that we love so much.
Although diamonds can come in every color imaginable, it is the white diamond that is the most popular version of the gemstone. Regardless of the color, a diamond makes a perfect addition to any piece of beautiful jewelry.
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