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 Diamonds are
thought to have been first recognized and mined in India, where
significant alluvial
deposits of the stone could then be found. The
earliest written reference can be found in the Sanskrit text Arthasastra,
which was completed around 296 BCE, describes diamond's hardness,
luster, and dispersion. Diamonds quickly
became associated with divinity, being used to decorate religious
icons, and were believed to bring good fortune to those who carried
them. Ownership was restricted among various castes by color, with
only kings being allowed to own all colors of diamond.
Diamonds were traded to both the east and west of India and were
recognized by various cultures
for their gemological or industrial uses. In Europe, however,
diamonds disappeared for almost 1,000 years following the rise of
Christianity because of two effects: early Christians rejected
diamonds because of their earlier use in amulets, and Arabic traders
restricted the flow of trade between Europe and India.
The rise in popularity of diamonds as gems seems to have paralleled
increasing availability through European history. In the 13th
century, King Louis IX of France established a law that only the
king could own diamonds. However, within a century diamonds were
popular gems among the moneyed aristocratic and merchant classes,
and by at latest 1477 had begun to be used in wedding rings.
Popularity continued to rise as new cuts were developed that
enhanced the diamond's aesthetic appeal, and has largely continued
unabated to this day; diamonds have proven popular with all classes
in society as their cost has become within reach. A number of large
diamonds have become historically significant objects, as their
inclusion in
various sets of crown jewels and the purchase, sale, and sometimes
theft of notable diamonds, have sometimes become politicized.
Record-holding diamonds
The Cullinan Diamond was the largest
gem-quality rough diamond ever found (1905), at 3,106.75 carats. One
of the diamonds cut from it, Cullinan I or the Great Star of Africa,
was formerly the largest cut diamond at 530.2 carats, but now that
title has been taken by the Golden Jubilee (1985), a 545.67 carat
yellow-brown diamond. The largest flawless and colorless (grade D)
diamond is the Millennium Star (1990) at 203.04 carats.
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 Mary of Burgundy is the
first known recipient of a diamond engagement ring, in 1477.Because of
their extraordinary physical properties, diamonds have been used
symbolically since near the time of their first discovery. Perhaps the
earliest symbolic use of diamonds was as the eyes of Hindu devotional
statues. The diamonds themselves were thought to be endowments from
the gods and were therefore cherished. The point at which diamonds
began to be associated with divinity is not known, but early texts
indicate that it was recognized in India since at least 400 BC. It is
said the Greeks believed diamonds were tears of the gods; the Romans
believed they were splinters of fallen stars. Many long dead cultures
have sought to explain diamond's superlative properties through divine
or mystical affiliations.
In Tibetan Buddhism, also known as Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle),
diamonds are an important symbol, and the Diamond Sutra is one of the
most popular texts.
In Western culture, diamonds are the traditional emblem of
fearlessness and virtue, but have also often associated with power,
wealth, crime and misfortune. Today, diamonds are used to symbolize
eternity and love, being often seen adorning engagement rings and
sometimes wedding rings as well.
Diamonds are a common focus of fiction. Notable pieces of fiction
include Ian Fleming's Diamonds Are Forever (1956), Arthur C. Clarke's
2061: Odyssey Three (1988) and Neal Stephenson's The Diamond Age
(1995). In addition, diamonds are the subject of various myths and
legends. |
