Centuries have passed since the great Alexander the Great set foot on Indian soil with his army. It was there that he first saw a diamond stone, which had no equal in strength. Alexander returned from the campaign with several precious stones, but in Europe this precious mineral was appreciated only in the 14th century, when the masters of Flanders applied their cutting system to it. Since then, the 57-facet cut diamond has become the king of gems. And one of the largest diamonds adorns the English crown. There are countless myths and mysteries about diamonds. The stone is a champion for all sorts of mysterious stories associated with it.
Origin and extraction of stone
Diamond is the hardest mineral in nature, originating in the depths of our planet.
A transparent, colorless specimen is the most expensive stone. Its price per carat (0.2 grams) can vary from 600 thousand to 1.5 million rubles. This mineral is formed from pure carbon at a depth of 100-200 km, at a temperature of about 1100 ° C, under high pressure. Diamonds are thrown into the upper layers of the earth's crust due to volcanic eruptions.
After this, kimberlite pipes are formed - deposits of the most valuable stone. But in order to extract just 1 carat of diamond, miners have to process about a ton of kimberlite rock, and this is a very energy-intensive and expensive process. This explains the rather high price of the nugget.
Exotic specimens
In addition to classic diamonds, there are rare types that have shades of color from pink to black (the rarest). Their value is determined in each case separately, taking into account transparency, purity of shade, presence/absence of impurities or bubbles and, of course, size. The starting price is several thousand dollars per 1 carat. At the moment, there is no explanation for the phenomenon of multi-colored diamonds.
However, it is traditionally believed that the “diamond of pure water” has the greatest value. This means that it does not contain any visible inclusions and, when placed in water, will simply “disappear” in it, merging with the structure of the liquid.
The setting for a diamond is an equal partner: the effect of splashing shades of color depends on it. Therefore, today jewelers are inventing the most unimaginable devices to maximum demonstrate the beauty of the stone. This is where the names came from: dancing and floating diamond. The first is fixed in a movable frame, and the second “floats” in a fixed capsule.
The history of the diamond
The first mineral was discovered in India, long before the beginning of our era. Diamond got its name due to its inherent properties. The literal translation from Arabic is the hardest (“al-mas”). In Ancient Greece, the mineral was called “adamas”, which translated into Russian means indestructible.
In the old days, unlike modern times, only rough diamonds were used as jewelry. But even in its original form, only merchants, kings and the richest people could buy accessories from this stone.
Tsar Ivan the Terrible considered diamonds more expensive and more valuable than all others. By his decree, they began to look for precious stones on Russian soil. However, the first mineral was found only in 1829, in the Perm province.
The mine manager put the nugget in a malachite box and sent it to St. Petersburg as a gift for the queen. After this, several groups of searchers were sent to the Urals, who managed to find several more diamond placers.
The largest specimen, the famous Cullinan Diamond, was found in Africa and weighed as much as 3106.75 carats. More than a thousand carats of soft blue diamonds were made from this huge gem.
Synonym words
What names has a cut diamond received? Many people cannot even understand the difference between a diamond and a diamond, believing that we are talking about some differences. In fact, these concepts mean the same thing: a classically processed diamond with 57 facets.
The word “diamond” has double “citizenship”: German - diamant, which means “diamond” or “hard”; and French - reads as diamant and translates as “diamond” or “brilliant”.
Derivatives of this word sound and are written almost identical to the original in many languages of the world. Specifically, in Spanish, diamante means both a precious stone and a girl's name.
And in Slavic languages this word is pronounced almost identically, but is written with some differences. For example, “diamant” (“diamant”) is translated from Ukrainian into Russian as “diamond,” i.e., in this case it is closer to its French origin.
And also, if you want to ironically hint to someone about his irresistibility, then you can easily put it this way: “Darling, you are the diamond of this society.”
How to distinguish an original from a fake
Many people wanted to own a diamond, but only a few could afford jewelry made from the valuable mineral. A way out of the situation was found by Strasser, an Austrian jeweler who made an artificial diamond from lead glass.
The creation was so flawless that it was impossible for ordinary people to distinguish it from a real jewel. Since then, the era of fakes began.
Over time, jewelers honed their skills and continued to produce cheap stones that were incredibly similar to diamonds.
The mineral in its raw form is very similar to rock crystal. And, although in the modern world many people know what a diamond stone looks like, it is not always possible to recognize a fake in it.
To make their verdict on the origin of the stone, experts carefully study and analyze its properties. But there are proven ways to check a diamond at home.
How to distinguish a diamond from other stones:
- One of the easiest ways is to breathe on a stone. The original copy will remain shiny and will not fog up. The artificial diamond will become covered with fine evaporation.
- Gemstones are transparent in water. If you lower such a mineral into a glass of liquid, you will not be able to see it there.
- The famous statement that diamonds cannot be scratched is another technique in establishing its authenticity. Even if the surface of the minerals is rubbed with sandpaper, the precious stones will not leave marks on themselves, while the fake will be covered with many scratches.
Diamond Clarity
The clarity of diamonds is determined by five groups. Criteria for each group were also developed by the Gemological Institute of America.
The highest group - internally flawless, or IF - Internally Flawlles
. This group includes stones in which defects are invisible under 10x magnification.
Next group – VVS
(Very, Very Small inclusion - Very, very small inclusions).
There are two more subgroups in this group: VVS1
and
VVS2
, followed by the
VS
also with two subgroups.
Stones of lower quality in terms of purity fall into the SI - Small inclusion
, in which small inclusions are visible to the naked eye.
And finally, the last group - I - Imperfect
- Imperfect, in which defects are also visible to the naked eye through the platform.
In Russia, purity is determined using a 12-point system, in which the number 12 includes stones that are more defective. Diamonds of poorer quality can be visually enhanced by filling cracks and other defects with glass or epoxy resin.
Diamond colors and varieties
Natural stones can be divided into two large groups:
- white diamonds (colorless);
- colored
The former are valued for their transparency; the more crystalline the mineral looks, the more expensive it is. The second category includes a whole range of different shades, which depends on the admixtures of substances.
What kind of diamond is there: color of the stone and description of the composition:
- Brown stone. This is the cheapest type of diamond. The brown tint is due to the presence of iron in the composition.
- Yellow diamond. Like the previous specimen, this mineral is in the low price category. The yellowness is imparted by lithium in the crystal lattice of the nugget.
- Pink. Stone of the highest price category. Manganese gives it a delicate shade.
- Blue diamond. A very rare specimen with a high price. Its color is due to the presence of boron.
- With a purple tint. A very rare expensive diamond that acquired its spectacular hue due to the presence of hydrogen.
- Green diamond. A stone of this color is very rare. There are almost no such minerals in nature, and the available single specimens are in museums or in the collections of the richest people.
- Red. A mysterious stone around which there are various ancient legends. The nature of the appearance of the luxurious, rich shade has not been determined to this day, which is why red diamond is a very valuable and expensive mineral.
- Black Diamond. Stones of this type contain graphite, which explains their color. For a long time, these specimens were not considered precious at all. In modern times, black diamond jewelry is made and is in great demand.
Diamonds that have undergone jewelry processing are called brilliants.
After skillful polishing by a jeweler, they acquire an incredible shine and luxurious appearance, incomparable to other stones. Natural minerals are used not only for making jewelry. Diamond stone chips are an excellent tool for sharpening tools, which were known to our distant ancestors.
The durability and strength of diamond as a sharpening stone makes it popular in modern times. Diamond instruments are also used in the medical field - surgical scalpels, scissors and spare parts for dental equipment.
Diamond or diamond invincible
Diamond, the meaning of the word is quite varied. But first things first.
- The word “diamant” is ancient, it comes from the French language and means “diamond”, “brilliant”, “rhombus of shiny, faceted and very hard stone”.
- The word “diamond,” in turn, is also an obsolete word, but of Greek origin. And means "solid, invincible mineral or untamed substance." All meanings refer to the hard nature of the stone.
- Recently, the word “diamond” has been widely used in various fields. The digital currency Diamond DMD is even named after him to speed up clearing settlements between clients.
You will be interested in: Dmitry Laptev Strait: history of discovery, description, natural conditions
The magical properties of diamond
Since ancient times, the mineral has been extremely popular among magicians and shamans. It was believed that with the help of a diamond one could perform a powerful ritual.
In modern magic, the stone has not lost its significance. Diamond is still considered the most powerful gem.
How does a diamond affect a person, and what properties does it have:
- Natural stone is the strongest amulet . It is able to protect its owner from damage, the evil eye and negative energy.
- A diamond gives a person confidence, gives strength and makes him braver. In Ancient Greece, there was a tradition of sacrificing gems to the Gods before difficult battles, asking for victory. In addition, during battle, soldiers hid accessories made from this mineral under their clothes, believing that this would help them defeat the enemy.
- In India, it is customary to sprinkle diamond crumbs on newborn babies. According to legend, this ritual will bring success into the life of a little person and make him happy.
- A natural gem helps single people meet their love, as it is considered the strongest love talisman. Legend has it that if you rub your hand with diamond powder and then touch the object of your passion, mutual and long-lasting love will be guaranteed.
In order for a mineral to be beneficial and work for its owner, it must be donated and not purchased independently. However, such a gift cannot be accepted from an ill-wisher.
If a person gives a diamond or diamond jewelry as a gift with impure thoughts, it will not have any positive effect. Moreover, such a mineral can harm the owner. A stolen or ill-gotten copy also brings misfortune.
Sorry, but how old are you?
It is not customary to ask about age, but not in the case of diamonds. Surprisingly, the pristine beauty and radiance are not subject to time. Scientists suggest that diamonds were formed millions of years ago.
- The youngest diamonds found are approximately 990 million years old. Age is determined by the age of the carbon lattice, because diamond is compressed carbon atoms connected in a special way.
- The oldest diamonds found are over 4 billion years old. Most diamonds are between one and three billion years old. They are formed in complete darkness at a depth of more than 140 km - 190 km. And is this why they shine with unimaginable rays even with the smallest amount of light falling on the stone?
When putting a diamond ring on your hand, remember what artifact was given to you, how ancient it is. This diamond appeared to shine on a graceful finger.
The healing properties of the mineral
Diamonds are widely used in the treatment of a number of different ailments:
- skin diseases;
- mental disorders;
- alcohol and drug addiction;
- liver and lung diseases;
- diseases of the kidneys, urinary, stomach
Minerals also help relieve pain during childbirth. For this purpose, green shades of stones are used.
In addition, diamonds and diamonds normalize cardiac activity and relieve inflammation.
To achieve a healing effect, you can not only carry stones with you, but also make healing water from them. To prepare the miraculous liquid, a diamond ring must be placed in a glass of clean spring water and left overnight. The next morning, diamond water should be consumed before eating.
Application
Not every mined diamond becomes part of a piece of jewelry, but it is still widely used. Therefore, when you look at a photo of a diamond stone, you might think about how many other such stones were not set into jewelry. Diamond dust and small pieces of stones remaining after processing are used in many fields. Naturally, the use of diamonds in industry is expensive, so for these purposes, in the 20th century, a method of creating an artificial material was invented, which involved applying high pressure and temperatures to graphite. True, it will no longer be possible to make jewelry from such a synthetic mineral.
In surgery or mining, diamond dust is used primarily for cutting. In the first case, a scalpel with this addition leaves thin and even cuts. In the second case, for cutting rocks. Diamond chips are also used for cutting other diamonds.
This stone is also used in the construction of various complex devices, reducing the risk of overheating and increasing strength and stability.
What zodiac signs are diamonds suitable for?
Despite a number of positive characteristics, diamond is not suitable for all horoscope signs. In order not to harm your health and energy, you need to know who is suitable for a diamond talisman, and who should avoid jewelry made from this stone.
Different signs of the Zodiac and the use of diamond as a talisman:
- Aries. The mineral is ideal for this sign. It enhances perseverance, increases self-confidence, and also neutralizes excessive anger and irritability.
- Calf. The diamond will help the representative of the constellation to emphasize his kindness, love of life and gentleness of character. In addition, the talisman will teach you how to correctly formulate life goals and allow you to achieve them faster.
- Twins. Not a very successful stone, which will develop indecision and mood swings in Gemini.
- Cancer. For a woman of this sign, a white diamond is suitable. This stone will bring harmony and peace of mind to life. But it is better for these ladies to avoid the yellow mineral, as it can cause depression.
- A lion. The most suitable stone for Leo is a black one; it will bring wealth, strength, and preserve youth and health.
- Virgo. The mineral is perfect for increasing self-esteem and getting rid of unnecessary fears.
- Scales. Not the best choice for this sign. Diamond can suppress Libra who is not too confident and lower their self-esteem.
- Scorpion. Diamonds and diamonds are not suitable for these people; they can make them more irritable and overly emotional.
- Sagittarius. Jewelry made from natural mineral will help Sagittarius solve problems and emerge victorious from any situation.
- Capricorn. It is advisable for these people to wear diamond jewelry periodically, rather than constantly. A talisman made from this stone is able to neutralize negative energy in Capricorns.
- Aquarius. Diamonds in yellow shades will help representatives of the Constellation find a sense of calm and balance.
- Fish. Those born under this sign are recommended to choose stones of blue shades. Jewelry with such gems will bring happiness and mutual understanding in love affairs.
Where can you mine stones today, or Diamond is the work of a miner
If fate takes you to Arkansas, feel free to go to a place called Murfreesboro. Crater of Diamonds State Park is located here. Each guest can look for their own diamond.
- This is a mine park open to everyone. It is the eighth largest diamond-bearing crater. Here you can find white, yellow and brown diamonds.
- In addition to diamonds, amethysts, garnets and other nuggets are found in the mine rocks. This opportunity can turn your search into a real adventure. By the way, the Sir Diamond diamond was found precisely at this mine.
- It should be noted that for every 1 million pounds (500 thousand tons) of rock, miners find about 1 pound of diamonds.
The prospector is almost a poet. It’s not for nothing that Mayakovsky wrote: “You waste a single word for the sake of a thousand tons of verbal ore...”
How to Wear Diamond Jewelry
Regardless of what color and size, natural or artificial diamond is purchased, there are some unwritten rules for wearing these prestigious and status jewelry.
How to wear diamonds correctly? First of all, you should observe moderation and do not try to put on all the decorations at the same time, otherwise it will resemble a New Year tree. The correct selection of jewelry is also important. Various sets look good: bracelet, ring and earrings, necklace and ring, pendant and earrings, bracelet and brooch.
A black diamond framed with small transparent stones looks great; this ring makes a wonderful gift on the occasion of a special occasion. Thin diamond rings are usually worn on the ring fingers, while large stones look good on the index fingers. Large rings with large stones look inharmonious on thin girlish fingers; you should also not put several rings on one finger at once.
When choosing earrings, you need to take into account the length of the neck: for tall women with a long neck, any earrings will suit, but pendants will look especially beautiful. Short and plump ladies with a short neck should pay attention to stud earrings or classic massive earrings.
Bracelets are usually worn on the right hand, and a bracelet with large stones should be worn higher, in a fixed position, and a thin bracelet should be worn below, hanging carelessly.
It is preferable to wear brooches on black or plain items. Girls should not get carried away with massive products; miniature jewelry in the form of small twigs, flowers or butterflies will suit them. Brooches should be worn on the left side or near the collar.
Necklaces and pendants can consist of large or small stones, and can also be complemented with other precious stones. A large necklace with a black diamond in the center looks great in an open neckline, but a small pendant on a thin chain will go well with a plain closed dress without buttons.
It is best to wear diamond jewelry in the evening, when artificial lighting allows you to fully enjoy the play of color in the facets. By knowing how to choose and wear diamonds, you can always look modern and sophisticated.
Characteristics of Pink Diamond
In the past, colored diamonds were sold cheaper than colorless diamonds. It was believed that they contained impurities and were not full-fledged diamonds. After research, it turned out that the composition of a pink diamond is no different from its classic “brother.” Such specimens are found much less frequently, so the price for especially large and bright specimens is unusually high.
A crimson-colored diamond belongs to the fancy group. Their share in the total volume of diamonds is 1%. Pink diamonds are mined in only three countries - Australia, India and Brazil.
Sometimes they are found in Yakutia, but when cut, the delicate color mysteriously disappears, resulting in an ordinary transparent diamond. The most valuable samples are found on the Green Continent, at the Argyle deposit, and their processing is usually done there - in Perth.
In reality, the stone is not completely pink.
A delicate shade is observed only in some crystals of the mineral, the remaining areas are colorless. Numerous facets of a diamond intensely refract light rays, so the illusion arises that it is entirely colored.
Minerals acquire color due to impurities (lithium, iron, boron and others), the action of radiation, and the replacement of carbon atoms with nitrogen particles. There are no additives in a pink diamond; its structure has no specific differences.
The mystery of the color pink has not been solved. People can only admire these diamonds, consider them a unique creation of nature and pay exorbitant sums for the right to own such a miracle.
Not long ago, Rio Tinto, the owner of the Australian Argyle gold mine, made a statement that shocked lovers of fancy diamonds. He announced his intention to stop diamond mining at his mine in 2021. This caused a stir in the diamond market and provoked a jump in prices for stones of all shades of red.
