Diamond – lord among gemstones
Diamond is the lord among gemstones, the most popular, the most precious gemstone in the world. Clean, transparent, with inimitable brilliance, it emphasizes the beauty of any jewelry. It is believed that the diamond gives its owner the courage, brings good luck, and loses its shine when contacts with the hands of the traitor. Shining, attracting, they excite people for centuries. There are stories of bribery, deception, and murders associated with them. Diamonds are surrounded by mysteries. But, no matter what, people still want to own them.
Since ancient times man has appreciated hard materials. The gemstones seemed to him the embodiment of eternity, people believed that they can protect and give strength.
No one can tell exactly when people first found diamonds, but there is written evidence that these gemstones were mined in India three thousand years ago. Later, diamonds were discovered in America – the Indians used shiny gems in a game similar to backgammon.
In Europe, diamonds came before our era. People considered them a defense against thunder and lightning, various diseases. In times of early Christianity, diamonds were used as a remedy for diseases. Gradually, diamonds became a symbol of power and wealth.
Diamonds were made millions of years ago when fuming volcanoes melted carbon inside some rocks. Gigantic masses of earth pressed the carbon and it had changed into the hard gemstones.
Most diamonds are mined from rocks deep underground. South Africa is the major source for the diamonds used in jewelry.
Diamonds must be cut and shaped to be used in jewelry. They are so hard that only another diamond can cut them. Most diamonds are used for technical purposes due to their hardness.
Diamonds can be white, red, blue, green, yellow, orange, violet and black.
The beauty, transparency and light of the diamond make it an ideal symbol of purity. Therefore, it is not surprising that it was always associated with Venus – the planet of beauty and harmony.
Diamond represents light and wisdom. It is a symbol of love and reunion.
The diamond is considered an excellent antipyretic, a means for treating bronchitis, inflammation of the lungs, prostate gland, hepatitis and joint diseases.
The diamond ring attracts wealth, improves health, drives fears away, dispels hostility and protects from accidental death.
– Diamond has the same composition as graphite, but with different structure.
– It is the hardest mineral. However, the diamond is fragile: if you hit it with a hammer, it breaks completely.
– The mass of diamonds is measured in carats; 1 carat=0.2 grams.
– Catherine de ‘Medici used diamond crumb as a poison adding it into the enemy’s food.
– Koh-i-Noor diamond was found in India in 1550s. The first historical mention refers to the beginning of the XIV century. Since 1851, the diamond belongs to the government of Great Britain. Now it is a part of the royal crown and is kept in the Tower.
– The largest diamond in the world was found on January 26, 1905 in South Africa. A unique diamond weighed 3106 carats (621.2 grams!) and was the largest diamond found by then on earth. Diamond was named Cullinan in honor of company director Thomas Cullinan.
– It is believed that the Shah diamond was found in 1450 in Central India. It is a very transparent diamond of yellow color, 3 centimeters long and weighing 90 carats.
– The Orlov is a 200-carat diamond with a greenish-blue tint. It was found in the early 16th century in India.
– The famous Hope diamond, perhaps, is one of the most beautiful and dangerous diamonds in the world. Although its mass is only 45.5 carats, it has the deep sapphire blue color and remarkable purity. According to the legend, this diamond once decorated a statue of a deity in one of the Indian temples.