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the history of diamonds :

natural diamond a rare gift from nature :

what is diamond exactly :

the physical properties of diamonds:

the optical properties of diamonds :

education in the diamond industry :

evaluation of diamond quality :

the first C, of the 4 C's carat weight :

the round brilliant cut :

 hearts and arrows :

the third c of the 4 C's clarity :

the forth c of the 4 C's colour :

an overview of coloured gemstones :

identification of diamond and simulants :

diamond manufacturing  process :

precautions during manufacturing :

weight estimations :

role of  laboratories in the diamond industry :

the latest technology in the diamond industry :

laser processing in diamond manufacturing :

the global diamond industry as a whole :

the world diamond rough situation :

major diamond mining countries :

major diamond mining companies :

world famous diamonds :

organizations in the diamond industry :

more diamond industry information :

diamond industry terminology :

buying diamonds online :

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History of Diamonds

Today diamond symbolizes wealth, durability, status, and peerless quality. Across time and cultures, diamond has also been associated with invulnerability, lightning, magic, healing, protection, and poisons. Unravelling the history and associations of diamond, we need to understand the history of the words attached to it: Did the words used by the ancient Indians and Greeks signify the same thing they do today, or do they represent something completely very different?

"Diamond" comes from the Greek Adamao, transliterated as "Adamao," "I tame" or "I subdue." The adjective "Adamas" was used to describe the hardest substance known, and eventually became synonymous with diamond. It is difficult to determine at what point in history the hardest known substance become diamond. "Adamas" may have previously referred to the next hardest mineral, corundum - the gem variety is sapphire - or to something else altogether. From the myths about valleys of diamonds guarded  by serpents, to the production of millions of carats of rough diamonds each year, the history of diamonds is one of mystical power, beauty and commercial expertise.

Early History

The first recorded history of the diamond dates back some 3,000 years to India, where it is likely that diamonds were first valued for their ability to reflect light. In olden days, the diamond was used in two ways for decorative purposes, and as a talisman to ward off evil or provide protection in battle.

The Dark Ages

The diamond was also used for some time as medical aid. One anecdote, written during the Dark Ages by Saint Hildegarde, relates to how a diamond held in the hand while making a sign of the cross would heal wounds and cure illnesses. Diamonds were also ingested in the hope of curing sickness. During the early middle ages, Pope Clement unsuccessfully used this treatment in a bid to aid his recovery.

The Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages more attention was paid to the value of diamonds, rather than the mystical powers surrounding them. Due to the heightened public awareness of the value of diamonds, mine owners perpetuated myths that diamonds were poisonous. This was to prevent the mineworkers swallowing the diamonds in an attempt to smuggle them out of the mines. The popularity of diamonds surged during the Middle Ages, with the discovery of many large and famous stones in India, such as the Koh-i-Noor and the Blue Hope. As the Indian diamond supplies dwindled, smaller finds occurred in Borneo and Brazil, but these were not sufficient to meet the ever increasing demand for diamonds. The mid-nineteenth century discovery of diamonds near the Orange River in South Africa sparked off the world's biggest diamond rush, and helped to satiate the world's increasing appetite for diamonds.

Late 20th Century

During the mid-nineteenth century, diamonds were also discovered in eastern Australia. However, it was not until late 1970s, after seven years of earnest searching, that Australia's alleged potential as a diamond producer was validated. On October 2nd 1979, geologists found the Argyle pipe near Lake Argyle: the richest diamond deposit in the world. Since then, Argyle has become the world's largest volume producer of diamonds, and alone is responsible for producing over a third of the world's diamonds every year.

Recent Times

Diamonds are mined on every continent except Europe and Antarctica in approximately 25 countries. However, only a few diamond deposits were known until the 20th century, when scientific understanding and technology extended diamond exploration and mining around the globe. For 1,000 years, starting in roughly the 4th century BC, India was the only source of diamonds. In 1725, important sources were discovered in Brazil, and in the 1870s major finds in South Africa marked a dramatic increase in diamond supply. Additional major producers now include several African countries, Siberia, Russia, and Australia. Today, Australia, Botswana, Canada, Namibia, South Africa and Russia account for some 80 % of the world diamond production. Nowadays, diamond is within the reach of the common man, thus diamonds have been democratized. Still, it is a luxury and fashion item and loved forever by women :