Diamonds have become the most popular and prized gemstone in the world. Their unique combination of beauty, fire, and hardness has made them the industry standard for fine jewelry and engagement rings.
But diamonds are an amazing choice for more than just engagement rings and are the birthstone for the month of April. Appropriately deemed the “King of all Birthstones” in this article we cover the history, properties, and care of diamonds.
History
The name diamond comes from the Greek word “adamas” which means “invincible” or “unbreakable.” They have a long history of desirability and were traded as early as the fourth century BCE primarily originating from India.
Ancient theories proclaimed the magical powers of diamonds and some thought they were formed by lightning bolts or the tears of the gods, and the Romans believed that Cupid’s arrows were tipped with diamonds. This is likely their first association with romantic love.
The first recorded diamond engagement ring was given in 1477 by the Archduke Maximillian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy which led to a trend in diamond jewelry among the European aristocracy.
Diamond engagement rings began their current rise to prominence with the DeBeers Company’s 1947 marketing campaign “A Diamond is Forever” making them the cultural symbol of a marriage that will last forever.
Diamond Jewelry and Care
Diamonds measure a 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale and are 58 times harder than any other naturally occurring mineral on earth. Their exceptional hardness makes diamonds an ideal gemstone for all settings and for everyday wear pieces.
Although it is impossible to scratch a diamond with anything other than another diamond, diamonds can chip or fracture if subjected to enough force. Many factors can contribute to the chipping of a diamond including a setting without enough prongs to support and protect the stone and inclusions found in vulnerable locations.
We take great care in creating settings and choosing diamonds that are least likely to chip, which is one important reason to choose us when purchasing diamond jewelry. Also, having your diamond jewelry regularly inspected by a jewelry expert is the best way to prevent your diamond from chipping as bent prongs are one of the most common causes.
Not all diamonds are the colorless variety and different impurities cause them to come in different colors including black, blue, green, pink, red, purple, orange, and yellow.
Their hardness and small size require a very high level of skill to cut and facet and to this day diamond cut is one of the most important factors to consider for a specific diamond. A well-cut and faceted diamond will display much more fire and brilliance than a poorly cut diamond.
Learn more about the 4 Cs of choosing a diamond.
Diamond Sourcing
In 2003 President Bush and Congress passed a law adopting the Kimberley Process which requires all US diamonds retailers to purchase diamonds only from manufacturers that can show documentation that they were obtained from legitimate channels. US Customs actively enforces these requirements on all diamonds that enter American ports. These measures ensure that all diamonds that enter the United States are conflict-free.
In recent years lab-grown diamonds have begun to be manufactured and used in fine jewelry. These diamonds have the exact same chemical structure as earth-grown diamonds. This means that you get the same coveted diamond properties including fire, brilliance, and hardness for 50-60% less.
At Park City Jewelers, we are lab-grown diamond experts. If you’re interested in a lab-grown diamond reach out to one of our jewelry experts. They can help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Learn more about lab-grown diamonds.
Conclusion
Diamonds have been a coveted gemstone for centuries and have come to dominate fine jewelry in a way that no other gemstone has. Diamond jewelry is an important part of our collection. Store manager Lex Harrison is a GIA Graduate Gemologist which is the highest level of certification available today. The majority of this training centers around diamonds making him an excellent resource.
Location:
430 Main Street Park City, UT 84060
Phone: Call or Text!
