Diamonds & their Beginnings

There so many myths and so much folklore about diamonds that it is almost impossible to sort out the actual records and facts of history. There is even a fascinating story involving mythical creatures guarding a land full of diamonds. Is it any wonder then that this beautiful stone would be surrounded by so much mystery and romance?

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The earliest recorded history dates back about three thousand years ago in India when diamonds did not have the same uses and love of the masses as they do today. Way back then, they were not only valued because of the way the can reflect the light, they were also thought to ward off evil spirits and protect warriors during the heat of battle.

It was only in the middle ages that diamonds really began to come into their own on the popularity scale. This is also about the time when many of the most famous diamonds were discovered such as the Hope diamond and the Mountain of Light, which were found in India. Along with Israel and Belgium, India is still known as excellent diamond cutters.

It was also about this time when diamonds began to be appreciated for their intrinsic value instead of just their mystical powers. At no other time in history had diamonds been so popular. Unfortunately, India was no longer able to meet the demands for their diamonds. Fortunately, it was about this time that large diamond deposits were discovered along the Orange River in South Africa, and the diamond rush was on.

It was about 1477 when Mary of Burgundy received the first diamond engagement ring from Maximillian I, which is the first recorded history of a diamond engagement ring.

In fact, as diamonds became more valuable and popular, the owners of the diamond mines started a rumor that the diamonds were poisonous. This was done so the miners would not try to smuggle diamonds out of the mines by swallowing them. When a diamond had been swallowed there was no way the thief was likely to be caught.

Today, security in the diamond mines is some of the best in the world. Miners are frequently kept at the mining site for days at a time, they are not allowed to take anything out with them, and are carefully searched, and sometimes even ex-rayed before leaving the mine. While theft may still theoretically possible, it is highly unlikely, and the penalties for stealing diamonds from the mine site are extremely harsh.

While diamond production is still going strong in South Africa, Australia is now producing about one third of the world's diamonds near Lake Argyle in eastern Australia, where they were discovered sometime in 1979 by gemologists. Today Australia is particularly noted for mining an unusual supply of natural pink diamonds, which have always been quite rare.

As you can see, diamonds have an extremely long history, and there is certainly so sign their popular and value will be waning any time in the near future.

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