Diamonds

For a gem that is mostly thought of as clear, the diamond certainly has had a colorful history. And with most diamonds thought to be over three billion years old, it has been a long history too.

It takes a great deal of pressure deep in the earth to form a diamond from carbon deposits. That amount of pressure exists in a range from 100 to 400 miles below the surface. And being that deep, it takes a major geological event, such as an earthquake, to bring the diamonds closer to the surface.

For many centuries India was the only country that was aware of its diamond deposits. They held this leading role well into the 18th century. In more modern times the continent of Africa took the lead as the world's largest producer of diamonds. However, wars and political struggles often tainted the diamonds from this region and made them unwelcome in the world's markets. As recently as the 1990s deposits of diamonds have been found in Canada and the diamond industry has shifted a lot of its interest there.

The diamond's strength has added to its legend and lore. In early times the Romans held that diamonds could protect the wearer from evil. Early uses of the diamond were also as a tool instead of a precious stone. The strength of the diamond allowed it to be used to cut and engrave other stones. By the 13th century, the value of the diamond was beginning to be recognized for its beauty too. In France at this time a law was passed which stated that diamonds were only to be worn by the king.

While diamonds are traditionally thought of as clear, the standard diamond comes in a range of tints; some are visible only under a loupe while others can be seen with the naked eye. Diamonds also come in more vibrant colors like blue. The color of the diamond comes from trace minerals that were present when the diamond was formed.

Diamonds are graded based on four characteristics known as the four Cs: color, clarity, cut and carat weight. Color refers to how much tint is present in the stone. The less tint the diamond has the more valuable. Clarity refers to any imperfections in the stone. Cut is the proportion of the cut, not the style. Carat weight is the actual weight of the stone. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. The largest rough diamond was discovered in South Africa in 1905. It weighed an amazing 3106 carats.

Today diamonds continue to be used not only for their beauty but also for their strength. Surgeons rely on diamond scalpels because they resist becoming dull. Astronauts have a view on the world thanks to diamonds being used as windows in space craft. Common items from eyeglasses to copper wires are forms with precision machinery that uses diamonds. No longer reserved for royalty, diamonds play an important role in the jewelry industry and far beyond.

It takes a great deal of pressure deep in the earth to form a diamond from carbon deposits. That amount of pressure exists in a range from 100 to 400 miles below the surface. And being that deep, it takes a major geological event, such as an earthquake, to bring the diamonds closer to the surface.

For many centuries India was the only country that was aware of its diamond deposits. They held this leading role well into the 18th century. In more modern times the continent of Africa took the lead as the world's largest producer of diamonds. However, wars and political struggles often tainted the diamonds from this region and made them unwelcome in the world's markets. As recently as the 1990s deposits of diamonds have been found in Canada and the diamond industry has shifted a lot of its interest there.

The diamond's strength has added to its legend and lore. In early times the Romans held that diamonds could protect the wearer from evil. Early uses of the diamond were also as a tool instead of a precious stone. The strength of the diamond allowed it to be used to cut and engrave other stones. By the 13th century, the value of the diamond was beginning to be recognized for its beauty too. In France at this time a law was passed which stated that diamonds were only to be worn by the king.

While diamonds are traditionally thought of as clear, the standard diamond comes in a range of tints; some are visible only under a loupe while others can be seen with the naked eye. Diamonds also come in more vibrant colors like blue. The color of the diamond comes from trace minerals that were present when the diamond was formed.

Diamonds are graded based on four characteristics known as the four Cs: color, clarity, cut and carat weight. Color refers to how much tint is present in the stone. The less tint the diamond has the more valuable. Clarity refers to any imperfections in the stone. Cut is the proportion of the cut, not the style. Carat weight is the actual weight of the stone. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. The largest rough diamond was discovered in South Africa in 1905. It weighed an amazing 3106 carats.

Today diamonds continue to be used not only for their beauty but also for their strength. Surgeons rely on diamond scalpels because they resist becoming dull. Astronauts have a view on the world thanks to diamonds being used as windows in space craft. Common items from eyeglasses to copper wires are forms with precision machinery that uses diamonds. No longer reserved for royalty, diamonds play an important role in the jewelry industry and far beyond.