Consumer Guide to Diamonds

Legends, Lore and Love

The ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were splinters of stars fallen to the earth. It was said by some that they were the tears of the Gods. Greeks believed that the fire in the diamond reflected the constant flame of love. It was said that Cupid's arrows were tipped with diamond, which imparts a magic that nothing else can ever quite equal.

In China, diamonds were carried in the belief that they could thwart evil spirits and they became a symbol of strength, courage and invincibility.

The Romans believed that diamonds brought courage and bravery during battle. They also believed they would be protected against poison and insanity by swallowing a diamond. Jewish high priests used diamonds to decide the innocence or guilt of the accused: A stone held before a guilty person dulled and darkened; a stone held before an innocent person glowed with increased brilliance.

The Hindus believed that diamonds were created when bolts of lightning struck rocks. Also that diamonds wouldstrengthen friendship, to bring its wearer a youthful vitality, power, wealth and success, however, if bought or sold, it would lose its powers.

Diamonds were symbolic of faith, justice, innocence, and strength. Warriors belived they gained courage by wearing them. There was also the belief that it would determine guilt or innocence. The test was simple. If the accused was guilty, the adjudicatory diamond would grow dark. In the presence of innocence, however, it would glow with increased brilliance.

Famous Diamonds

• The Cullinan - The largest diamond found so far, the Cullinan, weighed a whopping 3,106.75 carats uncut (more than a pound) when it was dug up in South Africa in 1905. Named after mine owner Sir Thomas Cullinan, the diamond was cut into 11 gems and a number of smaller pieces. Two of the chunks -- the 530.2 carat Great Star of Africa, and the 317.4 carat Lesser Star of Africa, are the second and fourth largest cut diamonds in the world. Both glittering treasures are part of the British Crown Jewels, on display in the Tower of London.
• The De Beers Millennium Star - Found in South Africa in the 1990s, weighing 777 carats uncut, this blue-white diamond is considered one of the most flawless stones ever discovered. The pear-shaped stone weighs 203 carats.
• Hope Diamond - 45.42 carat diamond displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. Many believe this diamond curses those that touch it to a life of poverty.
• Taylor-Burton - This 69.42 carat brilliant cut diamond was a French crown jewel. Napoleon once owned the treasure.
• The Golden Jubilee - The largest faceted diamond in the world, weighing 545.67 carats. The stone was designed by Gabi Tolkowsky, who also designed the 273.85-carat Centenary Diamond, which is the largest D-Flawless diamond in the world. The Golden Jubilee was presented to the King of Thailand in 1997 for his Golden Jubilee - the 50th anniversary of his coronation. Prior to this event, the stone was simply known as the Unnamed Brown.

Some of the most remarkable diamonds including the Koh-I-Noor and Blue Hope originated in India.

When looking for a diamond there are many things to consider. One is color. Most people assume that diamonds are white, but this is not always the case. Diamonds come in many different colors, in part because slight traces of substances other than carbon may exist in the diamond. Some examples of colored diamonds include pink, red, purple, green and canary champagne.

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