History Of Diamonds - This Is Your Complete Diamond History
History of
Diamonds
Where in history did we first see the value and beauty
beheld in diamonds? What is the story behind diamond engagement
rings. The word, diamond, historically derived its roots from "Adamas",
a Greek word which means unconquerable or indestructible.
Diamonds have traveled our many different cultures throughout
history affecting everyone in every possible way. The ancient
Greeks believed that diamonds were tears from the Gods. They
were thought to be mystical and powerful stones that affected
both the heavens and the hearts. Diamonds today continue to hold
this fascination as it did throughout history.
For thousands of years, it was the common belief that diamonds
contained special magic abilities and power for royalty.
Diamonds were thought to have the same powers as of Gods and
these powers contained within the fiery gems were beyond the
common man's knowledge. Kings would go into battle adorned with
diamond studded breast plates hoping that the physical presence
and the spiritual power of the diamond would bring them victory.
The belief was so powerful and so widespread that warriors in
battle avoided the Kings and other nobles who were porting the
powerful gemstones. Over the centuries, the history of diamonds
has received its meaning as the highest gift of one's love,
probably because marriage and love are seemingly as powerful &
as indestructible as the gemstone itself.
The first diamonds in history were discovered in India around
800 B.C. These diamonds were found to be a result of a volcanic
source, however this source was never discovered. Indian
diamonds continued to supply the world up until the eighteenth
century, it was a large deposit. These diminishing supplies
spawned the next finds in Brazil and in the mid 1800's, South
Africa. South Africa had a massive diamond deposit, and was a
global supplier for a long time. In the mid 1900's major diamond
deposits were found in Siberia, and today Western Canada is the
site of the world's newest diamond mines.
Most of the history of diamonds, the gemstones were extracted
from sand and gravel along river banks, like in India. However,
when South Africa's diamond rush started new process of finding
the diamonds not along waterways, but in the earth, was
discovered. Still today, diamonds are for the most part mined
using various extracting methods. The History of Diamonds
Diamond History... Throughout
History,
diamonds and diamond engagement rings have been the most coveted gemstones above all others.
Diamonds are simple beauty, rare, and virtually indestructible by
any means, and because of these qualities they have acquired even a
“Mystical Power” over man throughout time.
Every civilization since
the diamond was discovered has revered and exhibited fascination
with these sparkling phenomena that can resist the both fire and
steel. Today we are still fascinated with diamonds in jewelry and it
is often used to express the most precious symbol of eternal love.
Diamond Engagement Rings Began Thousands Of Years Ago!
The history of diamond engagement rings and wedding rings dates back
to the early Roman times around 200 BCE. Engagement rings were
at the time valued because of the inscriptions that were engraved on
the inside of the bands and so recorded a couples contract of
everlasting love. These contracts were then signed in the presence of the
Roman Emperor's image. This custom
continued and was Christianized during the 4th century by St.
Augustine. This tradition of giving diamond engagement rings in
the engagement and wedding rings in the ceremony as symbols of everlasting love
is as popular today as it was back then.
Learn More About Diamond
Engagement Rings In History. |