Diamonds Forever Desirable
It has long been known that the hardest substance to be found on the planet is the diamond. No matter where you might travel in the world, it is common knowledge that rare, expensive and highly prized diamonds are abundant, yet expensive. However, while people know the value of a diamond, fewer people know how diamonds are formed and why they are so greatly valued.
A diamond is actually a mineral and begins life as carbon which is then formed over many, many years. In order for the carbon deposits to form into a diamond, the substance must be subjected to certain conditions that tempers and changes the mineral into the rare and beautiful gem. The first diamonds were recorded to have been discovered some 3000 years ago in India.
Ever since those days, diamonds have enjoyed a reputation for their value and their beauty. They are held by many as symbols of status, quality, abundance, power and even royalty. The term diamond comes from the Greek word “adamas,” which mean indomitable.
In fact, in many ancient civilizations, the diamonds were worn by warriors as they marched into battle to symbolize courage, strength and invincibility. This is just one of many examples of how the diamond has become such an integral part of culture, history and lore of many countries.
Today, the majority of the stones come from mines that are located in the countries of central and southern Africa. However, there are still significant numbers of the rare and precious gems that are mined in other parts of the world such as Brazil, Australia, Canada and Siberia, which boasts the single largest diamond mine in the world.
Anyone who has ever shopped for a diamond ring, diamond earrings, or other diamond jewelry are probably very well aware that the De Beers company controls a huge portion of the diamond market. The stones must meet stringent quality standards and the De Beers company is one of the diamond suppliers that is well known for the high quality of gems that they bring to the market. In fact, in some parts of the world, De Beers has even been accused on monopolizing the entire diamond market because of the considerable control they have.
There is no doubt that the diamond is still one of the most desirable and treasured gems of any that are available. Virtually all high-end jewelry is embellished with a diamond or two, which immediately makes a statement about the person wearing such a fine piece of body jewelry. A diamond engagement ring is certainly considered to be the standard that symbolizes love, romance and commitment.
The pricing of diamonds varies considerably depending on the overall quality of the specific stone. Four criteria are evaluated when scoring the quality and value of a diamond. These criteria are known as the Four “C”s, standing for color, clarity, cut and carat.