Diamonds

Diamonds, which are highly prized in many cultures and are sometimes presented as a promise prior to the union of lovers, now symbolise eternal love. However, beyond its apparent attraction, the Diamond's history is riddled with scandal.

In this tutorial, we'll look at the Diamond's rich and complicated history, from its beginnings as a decorative gemstone to its development as a symbol of love and devotion. As one of the most valuable gemstones, along with sapphires, rubies, and emeralds, we'll also go over how to choose the ideal stone for you.

What Makes A Diamond

Diamonds, the hardest natural substance on the planet (a 10 on the Mohs gem hardness scale), are composed of pure carbon organised in a crystal form known as Diamond cubic.

Most diamonds today are 1 billion to 3.5 billion years old and originated in the Earth's mantle at depths of 150 to 250 kilometres. They might be discovered in kimberlite rocks or alluvial deposits.

Only a few sorts of contaminants may permeate it because to its carbon composition (a strict arrangement of atoms) (unlike the other precious gemstones). When this occurs, coloured diamonds are formed. Boron, for example, renders diamonds blue, whereas nitrogen turns them yellow.

Pink, green, purple, red, and orange are some of the other diamond colours. Colored diamonds are much uncommon than clear diamonds, making them even more valuable and desirable.

Diamonds occur when high temperatures and pressures in the upper section of the Earth's mantle drive methane and carbon dioxide-rich fluids to degrade to pure carbon. This process subsequently produces free atoms, which combine to create the stable Diamond. Deep-source volcanic eruptions eventually allow diamonds to find their way closer to the Earth's surface.

Other methods by which diamonds are generated include subduction zones, asteroidal impact sites, and even creation in space (yes, some Diamonds may actually be extraterrestrial).

Where Diamonds Are Mined

The diamond was born in India, and for centuries it was thought to be the only area where it could be mined—that is, until a tiny deposit was discovered in Brazil.

Diamonds are now found in around 35 nations, including Botswana, Australia, Russia, Canada, China, South Africa, and even sections of the United States. However, India is still regarded as the largest raw diamond processor. Meanwhile, the Belgian city of Antwerp trades 50% of cut diamonds and 40% of industrial diamonds, earning it the moniker "the Diamond Capital of the World."

The Historical Significance of Diamonds

Diamonds have been used as jewellery for tens of thousands of years. In reality, humanity used diamonds or a comparable material for the first time between 25,000 and 30,000 years ago.

In the fourth century BC, the first diamonds were found in India. These were subsequently carried to China through the Silk Road and utilised as ornaments, cutting tools, and anti-evil talismans. These gemstones were thought to treat specific diseases when swallowed throughout the Dark Ages.

Although originally admired for its decorative characteristics, humans quickly learned that a diamond's hardness and strength had industrial use. In fact, the name "Diamond" is derived from the ancient Greek word "adamas," which means invincible, untamed, or unbreakable.

When the Indian Diamond mines were exhausted, even a modest resource discovered in Brazil in 1725 was insufficient to meet world demand.

A fresh diamond resource was discovered at Colesberg Kopje, South Africa, in the late 1800s. The Kimberley Diamond Mine, a large-scale mining facility developed by De Beers Consolidated Mines, Ltd., subsequently became known as this.

De Beers was able to successfully manage the world's diamond supply from South Africa, but it greatly reduced the rarity of the diamond by up to 50%. Emeralds, rubies, and sapphires were more valuable than diamonds at this time in history.

Types of Diamonds as Jewellery

Diamonds used in jewellery can be cut in different ways, but there are a number of different scientifically classifiable types of Diamonds, including:

Type I – The most common class of Diamonds, known for its characteristic fluorescence
Type IA – Around 95% of all Diamonds are Type IA, which absorb blue light to appear almost colourless or pale yellow.
Type IB — A rare type of natural Diamond, this stone will absorb green light so it appears as an intense dark yellow or brown colour (often known as canary Diamonds due to their distinctive colour palette)
Type II – The Diamonds have no nitrogen impurities, have differing fluorescence characteristics and tend to be irregular and large in shape, having formed under high pressure for longer than other types of Diamonds
Type IIA – Around 1% to 2% of Diamonds are Type IIA, which are colourless and free of impurities as well as having a high thermal conductivity
Type IIB – Among the rarest Diamonds in the world, these light blue or grey Diamonds are extremely valuable.

General Tips On Buying and Maintaining Diamond Jewellery

Similar to the other gemstones, there are four characteristics you need to look for when purchasing Diamonds (the aforementioned ‘four C’s’):

Cut — This is the most important factor, as the cut greatly influences the Diamond’s sparkle. Even if it has the highest colour grade, the wrong cut would degrade a Diamond’s value. The most famous cut for modern Diamond engagement rings is the round brilliant, making up 60% of the market.
Colour — A Diamond that is colourless has the highest grade, which makes it more valuable.
Clarity — This refers to the imperfections and blemishes on Diamonds. This is the least important factor as often, these flaws (called “inclusions”) are microscopic by nature and doesn’t affect the Diamond’s beauty.
Carat — This refers to the Diamond’s weight, not its size. Consider carat with the Diamond cut, as a stone with a poor cut can appear smaller.