Overview
A high-quality diamond jewelrycan sparkle so brightly that you may catch a glimpse of its fiery brilliance from across a large room if light hits the gem just right. However, there is much more to diamonds than what initially meets the eye, and some of the basic facts about diamonds might surprise you.
History
The earliest confirmed reference to diamonds dates back to approximately 320-296 BCE in a Sanskrit manuscript. Later, in the Indian caste system, certain classes could possess diamonds of certain colors: Brahmin could own white and colorless diamonds, while Sudra (the lower classes) could only own gray to black diamonds. In the Middle Ages, people began to believe that diamonds, as well as other stones, had healing properties. The 1870s saw the discovery of rich diamond deposits in South Africa and the beginning of the extensive modern diamond trade.
Geography
Many people today often associate diamonds with South Africa, but in fact these precious gems are mined on every continent except Europe and Antarctica. For a thousand years, India was the only source of diamonds. As of 1995, the country producing the most diamonds by weight was Australia, followed by Botswana, Russia, Zaire and, finally, South Africa. Surprisingly, Australia did not become a major producer of diamonds until a 1979 discovery on the Kimberly Plateau.
Understanding the Four C's
The phrase "the four Cs" refers to four criteria jewelers use when grading diamonds: cut, clarity, color and carat weight. The cut of a diamond is not the shape (such as pear or round) but rather relates to the angles and proportions of its sides. The clarity refers to the number and severity of flaws in the diamond. The color of a diamond can range from colorless to very yellow, with colorless being the most desirable because it reflects the most light and therefore sparkles more. Colored diamonds, such as blue and green, fall into their own category. A carat is a measure of weight of a diamond and refers to its size.
Famous Diamonds
A few truly remarkable gems and pieces of jewelry have earned names for themselves in the world of diamonds. The Riviere is a 118-carat necklace of 55 diamonds made in the 18th century. The Tiffany diamond weighed a whopping 287 carats in the rough and was cut to a brilliant 128.54-carat gem. The Hermitage Ring, made in the early 16th Century, is an Eastern European gold ring featuring a 9-carat diamond with an unusual cut.
Diamond Conflict
In our culture, diamonds often represent positive qualities such as commitment, love, luxury and well-being. Unfortunately, this is not true throughout the world. In several countries, including Liberia and parts of Sierra Leone, diamonds are mined and sold by rebels and the money made from the diamonds is used to fund armed conflict. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, which has been in effect since 2003, requires participants to certify that their diamonds are conflict-free.