The earliest diamonds were found in India in 4th century BC, although the youngest of these deposits were formed 900 million years ago. When discovered, diamonds were valued because of their strength and beauty, and for their ability to refract light and engrave metal. Historically, diamonds were worn as adornments, used as cutting tools and were believed to provide protection in battle.
Diamond rings often symbolise a token of love or affection. The contemporary use of rings as a symbol of commitment dates back to ancient history, specifically to the betrothal (truth) rings of the Romans. These early rings, often formed from twisted copper or braided hair, were worn on the third finger of the left hand. The placement of the ring was significant, as Romans believed that a vein in the third finger (vena amorous) ran directly to the heart. For Romans, betrothal rings were given as a sign of affection or friendship, and this extended to marriage as we know it today in the 11th century.
Part of the credit for the almost mythical reverence to diamonds throughout the years belongs to the fact that these beauties are quite rare in their most sought-after gemstone quality form. Not only are these diamonds rare in numbers but also in the number of skilled artisans that can complement their exquisite beauty.Diamonds are not all clear either – the stones come in many colours; the least common of the colours red. They are very rare. Coloured diamonds command huge prices and are highly prized by collectors.
With diamonds it is important to understand what is termed the four ‘C’s’ as they are excellent indicators of the value of the diamond. For those who are not familiar with the four C’s of diamonds they are: colour, clarity, cut, and carats, all of which our qualified appraiser will be able to advise you on.