While wearing diamonds for engagement rings is a relatively new trend (in fact it wasn’t even common before the 1930s) the history of diamonds is a rather lengthy one. In fact, the natural formation of diamonds dates back to billions of years ago, and that’s just the diamonds that mankind can find on the surface of the earth. The formation of diamonds is not an easy process. It requires very specific conditions, since in order to form the carbon bearing materials must be exposed to a high-pressure atmosphere, but at a low temperature range. This type of atmosphere is only available in the lithospheric mantle below stable continental plates or at the site of a meteorite strike.
First Evidence of Diamonds
Therefore, while man may think of diamonds as an age-old finding, the discovery of this substance is relatively new. It is believed that diamonds were first officially recognized and subsequently mined in India, particularly among rivers like Penner and Krishna. The oldest records of diamond mining suggest that the first discovery of diamond material was between 3,000 to 6,000 years ago. The earliest direct reference to diamonds is found in the Anguttara Nikaya (a Buddhist text) as well as the Sanskrit text Arthashastra. These references date back to 296 B.C. and explicitly describes a diamond’s characteristics-including hardness, luster and the capacity for light dispersion.
Almost immediately after their discovery, diamonds became synonymous with something godly and were used to decorate temples and religious icons. When worn by an individual, it was believed that the diamond would bring good luck to its wearer. The color of diamonds was also important and ownership was restricted. Only the kings of old were allowed to own every color of diamond under the sun.
There have also been findings of corundum-rich stone ceremonial burial axes from ancient cultures of China, including Liangzhu and Sanxingdui, which date back to 4000-2000 B.C. What is the significance of this? Historians claim that the axes’ surfaces were so exquisitely mirrored and polished that it points to evidence of diamond powder. Roman writer Pliny the Elder also mentioned the great qualities of diamonds, noting that it was useful as ornamentation and to engravers, thanks to its hard characteristics. There is also evidence that suggests that diamonds were used as construction instruments in China as well as Yemen, perhaps even being used as effective drill tips.
Diamonds did actually descend in popularity for a time, after the emergence of Christianity in Europe. Why is this? Because diamonds were associated with religious worship, Christians rejected the idea carrying diamonds, just as Arabic traders started to restrict trade in that part of the world. It wasn’t until the Middle Ages that diamonds became popular in Europe again, thanks to Venice’s influential trade network. This was also the time period that saw more industrial treatment of diamonds and cutting these materials into gem shapes. This was when the full potential of diamonds as jewelry was explored and when many famous diamond cuts were first born. By the 17th century all of the famous cuts, including the table cut, the briolette, the rose cut and the Mazarin, were being sold and traded. The brilliant cut was the last of the famous cuts, and debuted in 1919.
The Diamond Industry Today
Today the diamond industry is in full swing, though its production practices differ greatly from the India of old, which was where diamonds first originated. There are diamonds that are harvested for industry as well as gemological reasons. Industry diamonds are judged only for their hardness and heat conductivity. When an industrial company harvests diamonds, the clarity and color are usually unimportant. The truth is that 80% of all newly mined diamonds in the world are inadequate to be used as fine gemstones. The “bort” (as industrial diamonds are called) is then hauled away to be used for cutting, drilling, grinding and polishing (diamond powder) in construction and engineering projects. As for the diamond supply chain, there are only a moderate number of companies that control the industry and focus their efforts on a small number of locations throughout the world.
India is no longer seen as the rich diamond producer that it was in earlier centuries. By the 18th century, Brazil was known as a more productive source of diamonds. South Africa emerged as an ideal location in the 1800s and is still known as a big producer today. Other countries that are mined for diamonds include Canada, Zimbabwe, Angola and Russia. Currently, the most valued countries for diamond mining include Russia, Botswana, Australia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. As for America, the most promising states for production are Arkansas, Colorado and Montana.
The history of diamonds is a fascinating one, especially considering how ancient these collectibles really are. Diamonds not only last “forever” into the future, but have been in existence since before man walked the earth. Little wonder that diamonds used to be associated with the divine, and to this day are still used to symbolize eternal, unbreakable love.
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