The Forever Gem

A diamond’s tough grace meets the multifarious needs of daily wear,so it’s little wonder then that most engagement rings are mounted with a diamond’s sturdy elegance. The name ‘diamond’ comes from the ancient Greek ‘adamas’ meaning ‘proper’ or ‘unbreakable’. Though the name bears a Greek derivation,it is believed to be documented and mined originally in India. It was the lone source of diamonds before the 6th century and the chief source for more than 2,000 years. Diamond is the crystallized constitution of carbon formed under extreme heat and pressure. Created more than 100-400 miles below earth’s surface,most diamonds are over three billion years old. The ‘youngsters’ are about 100 years old and in minority. Some diamonds are also composed of carbon that is recycled organic matter,previously incorporated in marine organisms. Diamonds have held a miraculous desirability for mankind and royalty in particular since time immemorial. A law in 13th century France decreed that just the king could adorn diamonds. The deluge and popularity of diamonds have escalated since the 19th century owing to its increased supply,superior cutting and polishing techniques,ascendant curve in the global market and highly effective advertising campaigns. Diamond is the hardest substance known,great conductor of heat and has the highest melting point of a substance. Focusing on the gemstone aspect of the much adored diamond,one is easily smitten by its unsurpassed luminescence as the diamond is transparent over the greatest number of wavelengths. Despite the fact that Africa is known as the ‘Diamond Continent’,it’s actually Australia that hosts the largest reserves including three very rare and highly priced pink and red Fancies. Though diamonds are perceived as white/colourless,they come in a spectrum of colours. The coloured diamonds are called ‘fancy’ and are usually collectors’ pieces. The commercial purpose diamond gems are graded from yellowish to white and are judged on several factors,primarily the ‘4 Cs’ – colour,cut,clarity and carat that determine their price. Each principle aspect shall be discussed at length in the subsequent column. Queries related to above all welcome.

(The writer is a city-based researcher specialising in jewellery art and can be contacted at sameeraahaan02@gmail.com)