Gems are undoubtedly very interesting, but there is something about diamonds that has fascinated us for centuries. It is understanding that a diamond is chosen as the stone that most select for their wedding rings as a symbol of a love that will last forever. With information provided by our partners at The Knot, you may find that your ring is rarer that you ever realized. Enjoy these interesting facts from The Knot that make your diamond a one of a kind.
Forevermark loose diamond
- The word diamond is derived from the Greek word, adamas, which means the invincible. As Mother Natures hardest precious substance, diamonds have long been known as the stone of Invincibility and represent an indestructible strength (very fitting for marriage!). Throughout history, it was believed by kings that a diamond worn in battle would magically deep them safe. Ancient astrologers also believed diamonds had special powers; they thought the stones promoted lasting love and would ward off witchcraft and nightmares.
- Engagement rings are prehistoric. It is believed that cavemen symbolized their commitment to their mate by tying cords of grass around wrists, ankles and waist, while the Egyptians began the custom of placing a band on the ring finger, believing a vein of love ran directly from there to the heart. But the tradition of giving a diamond ring as a token of marriage didnt come about until the 15th century, when Maximilian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring to celebrate their engagement.
- Diamonds used to be weighed against seeds. For centuries, the seed of the carob tree were used as the standard for weighing precious stones, which is where we get the term carat. People began using the carob seeds to measure the weight of precious stones because all the seeds are very similar in size and weight. In areas where carob trees did not grow, grains of rice were used.
- Diamonds are created under extreme conditions. It would take the pressure of the Eiffel Tower on your fingertip to create a diamond. Diamonds are made of carbon that crystallized long ago, deep inside the earths mantle. Theyre formed about 100 miles beneath the earths surface under conditions of immense heat ranging from 1700 to 2400 degrees Fahrenheit, and pressure between 650,000 and 870,000 pounds per square inch.
- You can thank a volcano for your ring. Without a volcanic eruption, your diamond would still be in the center of the earth. The diamonds that are dug out of the mines today in countries like Canada, Australia, Russia, Angola or Botswana, were brought to the surface of the earth by a very deep-seated volcanic eruption from a long time ago.
- Only a diamond can cut or polish another diamond. Diamonds are the hardest material on earth, so only a diamond can be used to mechanically cut or polish another diamonds. The cutting and polishing tool used in jewelers workshops consist of diamond-coated blade edges or polishing wheels coated in diamond dust.
- Your diamond can crack. Despite diamonds being the hardest natural substance, they be chipped or cracked by a heavy blow.
- The cut of the diamond is the only aspect that can be changed by a human. The weight, color and clarity are all up to nature. In 1919, Marcel Tolkowsky, a mathematician and physicist, developed the Ideal Cut. His studies proved that if a diamond was cut too shallow or too deep, light would escape from the bottom and sides, resulting in less brilliant sparkle. The Ideal Cut is 57 facets (or cuts) in perfect symmetry, dispersing light through the top of a round diamond for ultimate brilliance.
- Diamonds are available in almost any color. The vast majority of diamonds range from nearly colorless to light yellow, brown or gray. A diamonds color comes from different growth conditions that may occur during their formation under the earths surface.
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No stone is harder, few more previous and probably no other stone has prompted men to move more dirt. 250 tons of dirty is moved for each single-carat specimen. Which is part of the reason that besides being April's birthstone it is also the 60th wedding anniversary (this rock has staying power!).
Signature Collection, Steven Kretchmer, Henri Daussi, Louis Glick, Pamela Froman, Simon G diamond rings
These facts are among the many more interesting details of diamonds. You can see why diamonds have become so popular over the generations. In recent months, we at McCaskill & Company, have expanded our collection of diamonds with our Bridal Design Gallery to include Forevermark, Simon G, Henri Daussi, Steven Kretchmer, Louis Glick, Kwiat, JFA Designs, Michael Bondanza and our very own Signature Collection. We hope that you will have the opportunity to stop by and enjoy our vast collection.
