People have always worshiped jewelry. Stones and metals not only conquered their minds, but also became the cause of wars. Some were ready to give their lives for them, while others were ready to take it away. Which jewels have almost always been the most valuable? Of course, it's gold and diamonds. They have even become a household name in their category. With gold, everything is more or less clear. It is mined, smelted, and so on, but what path does a diamond take from the first shovel stuck into the ground at the mine to the royal crown is a big question. Moreover, gold has always been mined in the same way, plus or minus, which cannot be said about diamonds. There really is room for improvement and development in terms of technology.
They are too beautiful not to be considered precious.
- 7.1 Diamond Kohinoor
Mining of the first diamonds
Diamond is the hardest mineral on earth. For the first time, diamonds began to be mined in India. For millennia, India was the only place on earth where these precious stones were mined. Historians believe that diamonds came to Europe with Alexander the Great around the 3rd century BC. Their description is available in ancient manuscripts. They are also mentioned in the fairy tales “A Thousand and One Nights”. People in ancient times were already familiar with the properties of this precious stone. This mineral is in first place among precious stones. In the 2nd century, the export of diamonds from India to China began. And in the 1st century, Pliny the Elder wrote a treatise that described the properties of precious crystals. In the 6th century, entire scatterings of these crystals were discovered on the island of Kalimantan.
Healing properties
The gem is also characterized by pronounced medicinal properties. Lithotherapists are confident that the stone heals not only the body, but also the soul. It can be used to combat mental disorders such as depression, obsessive fears, nervous breakdowns, and schizophrenia.
With the help of the mineral, it is possible to cope with sclerosis of cerebral vessels and sleep disorders. The crystal also helps overcome drug and alcohol addiction.
Diamonds will help cope with alcohol and drug addiction
Who else is a diamond suitable for? It must be said that the stone has antipyretic properties.
- It can be used to combat stomach pain and neutralize the negative effects of toxins.
- The stone is considered the key to effective treatment of pneumonia, bronchitis, and liver damage.
- With its help, it is possible to cure joint diseases, infectious pathologies and prostatitis.
Crystals are often used by lithotherapists to get rid of kidney stones and skin pathologies. The powerful energy of diamonds has a positive effect on the functioning of the heart and brain.
The mineral is also used in Ayurveda. Stones that sparkle in different shades have rejuvenating properties. Green crystals protect motherhood and help get rid of female diseases. They help you get pregnant and give birth to a healthy baby.
Transparent, pink and blue stones help get rid of fatigue and normalize metabolic processes.
The green diamond is considered the patron saint of motherhood.
The first diamond jewelry
One of the first pieces of jewelry using diamonds was the crown of King Stephen of Hungary. This was in the year 1000. But these crystals began to be polished later in Venice. Then the Parisian master Bruges brought this method of processing to France. At the end of the 15th century, the polishing wheel was invented. The first diamond ring was given to Mary of Burgundy. It was presented to her by Maximilian of Austria in 1477. This is how the tradition of giving the bride a diamond ring during her wedding arose.
Magic characteristics
The diamond, whose magical properties are of interest to many, has a fairly strong character. Therefore, it may not be suitable for everyone. This gem is considered a symbol of courage, power and indestructibility.
Diamond has magical properties.
The properties of the stone are influenced by the shades of the diamond:
- blue crystals are considered the embodiment of devotion,
- pink diamonds are a symbol of femininity.
The meaning of the diamond stone is masculinity and hardness. Thanks to this mineral, every person can make the right decisions. If you choose the right crystal according to your horoscope, it can make its owner more courageous and positive. In addition, the crystal provides reliable protection against damage and the evil eye.
The magical properties of the mineral help strengthen weak chakras and saturate its owner with energy. However, to do this, you need to buy the gem yourself - a gifted crystal will not give such an effect.
Evil people should not wear jewelry with diamonds, since the crystal will attract only bad luck to them.
Kimberlite pipes
The history of their production in Africa begins in 1866. In February of this year, fifteen-year-old Erasmus Jacobs found a transparent rock on a plot of land owned by his father, located near the Orange River. Over the next few years, large quantities of diamonds were mined in Africa, exceeding those found in India in two millennia. The first diamond deposits to be discovered in Africa were located far from streams and rivers. They were located in sandy soil, the so-called yellow earth, and in hard rock, which was called blue earth. Later it began to be called kimberlite, since the deposit was located near the city of Kimberley. Diamond deposits began to be called kimberlite pipes. A real diamond rush broke out.
Diamond in tattoos: the meaning of a diamond tattoo on the body
Not everyone manages to become the owner of a diamond in their entire life. But this does not mean that he cannot influence a person’s life with his power.
A tattoo is not just a design on the body. By getting a tattoo, we change our lives in one direction or another - whether we want it or not. Therefore, it is clear that the image of such a powerful stone can influence the fate of the owner.
Meanings: invincibility, success, happiness, strength, purity.
The stone relieves fear. The confidence that the mineral inspires will help those who lack courage and give strength.
Another diamond is uniqueness. A person who wants to declare himself as unique and one of a kind can safely get such a tattoo.
If a diamond tattoo is needed as a talisman, there is no need to display it, let it remain a secret weapon.
And if the image reflects the rays of the Sun, playing with the edges of the diamond, you will protect yourself not only from the bad intentions of people, but you will also be able to scare away an accident.
Tough competition
In the 1870s and 80s Kimberley was a mining town. There were a large number of diamond mines located around it. They produced about 95 percent of the world's diamonds. There was fierce competition among the earners, especially Cecil John Rhodes and Barney Barnato, English immigrants, competing with each other. They became the first owners of consolidated holdings and mining companies. In 1902 the Transvaal Mining Company was established and operated until the First World War. When it began, the mine closed and the company continued to operate only partially. In 1916, the mine began to work again, but in 1932 diamond mining was stopped again. The diamond industry was also dying out. At the beginning of the last century, diamond deposits were also discovered in Congo and Namibia.
Diamonds began to be mined at the mine again only in 1945. This was her third, her third life. And the fourth began in 1979, when they managed to break through the waste rock with the help of a special pipe. After this, the mine served for another 15 years. This was the longest period of her service.
Physicochemical properties of diamond
Yakut rough diamonds
Diamonds are transparent, colorless minerals, less often they have pink and yellow shades, they have a bright shine and high refractive indexes.
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The mineral consists of carbon atoms equidistant from each other at a distance of 0.15 nanometers. The atoms form a cubic crystal lattice, giving diamond the highest hardness on the Mohs scale—10. However, due to perfect cleavage, crystals are very fragile, and the erroneous identification of the concepts of hardness and fragility often led to the destruction of valuable stones.
This is how the collection of diamonds of the French Duke Charles the Bold, who waged an internecine war with the king, was destroyed. The mercenaries of Louis XI, wanting to test the authenticity of the stones with a hammer, turned them into powder.
Major finds
In the early years this mine produced many large diamonds, one of them being the Cullinan, discovered in 1905. After 45 of the last century, several more very valuable and rare stones were mined from the mine. The most memorable moment in the mine's work was the discovery of a diamond measuring 51-25-19 millimeters. The surprise was that it was only discovered at the factory in layers of lubricant. He was given the name "Niarchos". It is 426.5 carats. In South Africa, you can visit the museum and learn more about the history of famous African diamonds.
Stone colors and clarity, cut
The color of a diamond is considered an important parameter. The closer a stone is to colorless, the more it is worth. The exception is fantasy crystals - pink, blue and others. They may be out of range.
There are crystals of different colors.
Another important indicator is cleanliness. This term refers to the degree of severity of inclusions and surface stains. Because diamonds are formed deep within the earth, extreme temperatures and pressure create unusual markings.
Crystals without marks are extremely rare. Such stones are much more expensive.
When assessing the clarity of stones, jewelers also evaluate surface imperfections—scratches or pits that cannot be removed by polishing without significantly reducing the weight of the stone. All other things being equal, crystals without internal characteristics are more valuable.
Also, the cost of stones depends on the quality of the cut. However, this is a rather complex issue, which often becomes the subject of speculation. The fact is that there are no universal parameters or clear price lists in this matter.
Deposits around the world
In 1919, the classic brilliant cut was developed. It was invented by Marcel Tolkowsky. In the 20th century, diamond deposits were discovered in Sierra Leone.
The world's second largest diamond, called the Star of Sierra Leone, was found there. Its weight is 968.9 carats. In the middle of the last century, diamond mining began in Siberia, and towards the end - in Botswana and Australia. At the end of the last century, kimberlite pipes were discovered in India.
At the end of the last century, real diamond wars broke out in Africa. The UN Security Council was even forced to intervene in this process. They imposed an embargo on the UNITA organization.
At the beginning of this century, the development of lapidary work began in Botswana. Nowadays, to transport diamonds, you need a special certificate of their origin. This applies to all participants in the Kimberley Process. Currently, the Russian Federation is the world's largest diamond miner, ahead of Botswana.
The extraction of these precious stones in Russia is supported by the state. Also major diamond miners these days are South Africa, Zaire, and Namibia.
History of diamonds and their use in jewelry
If we talk about the history of diamonds, it is very long and interesting, because they are considered the most mysterious precious stones on the planet. And the proverb “Diamonds are forever,” made famous by the De Beers advertising campaign, is true.
Millions of years ago, long before dinosaurs appeared on earth, diamond deposits appeared in the bowels of the planet, and, despite numerous disasters, they survived, uncontrollable by the forces of nature, and have reached us. For many centuries, mystical powers have been attributed to them, and people have always valued diamonds for their incredible beauty. All earthly civilizations admired diamonds and were in awe of them.
Part of this reverence for the beauty of diamonds can be explained by the fact that high-quality stones are quite rare in nature. In addition, there are quite a few skilled craftsmen in the world who can bring the beauty of stones to perfection.
Diamonds are the most durable of precious stones. The word “diamond” itself comes from the Greek “adamas”, which means “indestructible”. In addition, the unique and enduring charm of diamonds is a property that has been admired by mankind for many centuries. However, this does not mean that the diamond cannot be damaged - however, this requires a very precise and strong blow.
It is believed that diamonds were discovered about 3,000 years ago in India. They were valued for their ability to refract light and were used to make talismans that protected against evil forces.
During the early Middle Ages, diamonds were believed to have healing powers. People suffering from various ailments or wounded in battles were ordered to consecrate themselves with the sign of the cross, while holding a diamond in their hand. There was even a belief that healing was brought by a diamond ingested.
Over time, diamonds began to be valued for their beauty rather than their healing properties. There was a huge demand for diamonds, and the owners of the mines began to spread rumors that these stones were poisonous and anyone who swallowed a diamond would die. This is how it was possible to prevent the smuggling of diamonds - cunning mine workers swallowed the stones and freely transported them abroad.
Today, diamond deposits in India are gradually drying up, but there are deposits in other parts of the globe. Small deposits have been discovered in Borneo and Brazil, but so far none of the deposits have been compared to Indian ones.
In South Africa, diamonds were discovered by accident: in 1866, travelers met a child playing on the bank of a river with colorful pebbles. One of them was recognized as a diamond, and the diamond cut from it was given the appropriate name “Eureka.” The discovery of deposits in Africa aroused incredible interest; this event became the second birth of diamonds. South African diamonds are widely used in the jewelry industry, and some of them are of the highest quality, just like stones mined in other countries around the world.
More recently, Australia has joined the ranks of diamond-mining countries. There are diamond deposits in Africa, Canada, Russia and South America - these deposits contain very high-quality stones.
It should also be noted that not all stones mined in deposits are suitable for use in the jewelry industry. In fact, only a fifth of all diamonds mined in the world are used to make jewelry. The rest are used by other types of industry - they are used to make tips for drills and other products.
Not all diamonds meet the purity requirements; there are multi-colored stones, of which the red diamond is considered the rarest. There are only a few such stones in the world. Colored stones cost incredible amounts of money and are extremely highly valued by collectors.
A diamond ring is considered a pledge of love these days, especially if given by a suitor or groom. Humanity owes the tradition of giving a diamond ring on the occasion of an engagement to the Austrian Archduke Maximilian; It was he who first gave his beloved Mary of Burgundy a beautiful stone.
The tradition of wearing a diamond ring on the ring finger of the left hand goes back to ancient Egypt - people who lived on the banks of the Nile believed that the blood vessel leading to the heart was located in this finger. Today we pay tribute to this tradition, perceiving a diamond ring as a symbol of true love and fidelity.
Most of us believe that a diamond ring can only be given as a gift in connection with marriage. However, there are many reasons for such a gift. The most memorable moments in life can be celebrated with a pendant, bracelet or earrings encrusted with diamonds. Remember, diamonds have always been and remain a girl's best friend. Any celebration marked by such a generous gift will be remembered for a lifetime.
Such celebrations may include a loved one’s birthday (for example, coming of age or anniversary), the birth of the first child, a wedding anniversary, or personal achievements. You can give a diamond for any occasion. Moreover, some men are sure that such a gift can be given “just like that.” And if you have someone especially dear to you - be it your beloved, wife, sister, daughter or mother - without a doubt, a diamond will be the best gift for any event.
Before purchasing diamond jewelry, it is necessary to determine a number of points inherently associated with these precious stones. So: color, clarity, cut and size. Don’t forget about this, and your purchase will stand the severe test of time and will not lose its value in the future; on the contrary, it will only increase it. The brighter and more solemn the occasion for which you are purchasing a diamond, the more beautiful the stone should be. Of course, you need to take into account your own financial capabilities and the tastes of the person to whom the gift is intended. The metal in which the precious stone will be set is no less important. Thanks to a balanced and reasonable approach, you will get exactly what you need. When it comes to precious metals for making diamond jewelry, the best choice is karat gold or platinum. In recent decades, platinum has become the favorite metal of jewelers: it is very durable and goes well with precious stones.
When planning to purchase a diamond piece, research the market in advance. Thanks to the rise of e-commerce, you will be able to determine the scale of prices: sometimes a high-quality diamond is cheaper to purchase online than at your local jewelry store. Be careful with so-called “conflict” stones, that is, non-certified stones. Make sure the diamond you purchase meets the Kimberly process requirements. When purchasing a diamond product, always insist on presenting a certificate of origin.
Eternally beautiful, covered in a romantic flair, possessing a magical attractive power, diamonds continue to delight, evoke awe and delight, remaining symbols of hope for the best.
| [Jewelry News] |
How does a diamond turn into a diamond?
Round cut diamond 57 facets
Many people wonder what a diamond is. In fact, it is still the same diamond, only cut. Processing occurs in several stages, during which various flaws are removed from the crystal. The stones are ground and polished.
The cutting process is very long and labor-intensive. To give the crystal the desired shape and create smooth edges on the surface of the hardest mineral, cast iron discs coated with diamond coating are used.
It is important to position the edges correctly, taking into account how the light will fall on them. The art of cutting is to make the stone shine with all the colors of the rainbow.
The properties of a diamond allow it to refract light rays in different ways, which is what causes such a brilliant shine. These properties are revealed most strongly with a round cut of 57 facets.
As a result of cutting, the size of diamonds is significantly reduced, but this does not affect the cost. A large sample can take months to work through.
There are three main types of crystal cuts used for this type of stone:
- For processing round stones, the diamond type is used. In this case, it is important that a checkerboard pattern be maintained for the triangular or diamond-shaped edges on each tier.
- Rectangular samples undergo step cutting, in which triangular or trapezoidal edges run on top of each other.
- For cutting small samples, the “rose” or “rosette” method is used.
The characteristics of diamonds also differ in the degree of transparency. Natural minerals cannot boast of absolute purity and have various inclusions. The fewer such defects, the higher the cost.
