Top 7 Facts about Diamonds
With Valentine’s Day approaching, what’s a better gift than diamonds? Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, after all. In spirit of this romantic holiday, here are our top 7 facts about the beloved jewel:
1) Diamonds are the hardest natural substance.
With a hardness of ten on the Mohs scale, you don’t have to worry about scratching or damaging your diamond jewelry. The only way your diamond can be scratched is from contact with another diamond. A diamond is forever.
2) The name diamond is derived from the ancient Greek adamas meaning of “unconquerable.”
The jewel is not only unbreakable regarding its hardness, it has a symbolic meaning as well. This Valentine’s Day, gift your loved one a diamond to symbolize your unconquerable love for each other. Diamonds stand for eternal love.
3) Diamond engagement rings date back to ancient Roman history.
Diamonds have been the ring of choice since the early Roman era. Their rings weren’t for engagement, but rather for friendship or affection. Their rings were placed on the third finger of the left hand as that finger has a vein running directly to the heart.
4) The most famous diamond in the world is the Hope Diamond, which is believed to be cursed.
The estimated value of this diamond is $200-$250 million USD and it dates back to the seventeenth century. The diamond has a long history of owners and wearers with whom supposedly experienced misfortune due to its “curse.” Many of its owners were murdered or committed suicide.
5) Ancient Romans believed that diamonds had the power to ward off evil.
Ancient Romans wore diamonds as talismans to protect them from evil. Over history, the diamond has continually been symbolized as a jewel with great power or meaning.
6) Diamonds are believed to be billions of years old.
Earth is approximately 4.5 billion years old, and the first diamond is thought to have been crystallized about 3.3 billion years ago. Diamonds were being gathered and traded in India during at least fourth century BC.
7) A law in thirteenth-century France proposed that only the King could wear diamonds.
Historically, diamonds had always been a luxurious jewel with exclusivity among royalty or the wealthy. Extravagant diamonds, such as the Hope Diamond, had many royal owners such as King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
