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| A Girls Best Friend... Diamond |
WHAT IS A DIAMOND?
A diamond is simply the simplest of compositions known to man; it is common carbon, like the graphite in a lead pencil, except for the arrangement of the atoms is different. Some 3.3 billion years ago, the elements of heat and pressure mysteriously combined to transform a simple element, carbon into diamond, in the midst of boiling magma, that lay deep below the surface of the earth. This resulted in the crystallization process. And when land masses were moving, these sections were then thrust upwards towards the surface of the earth in the form of Kimberlite pipes. It is in these Kimberlite pipes that most diamonds are found today.
THE HISTORICAL MYTHS OF DIAMONDS
Legend has it that there was a valley in Central Asia carpeted with diamonds and guarded by snakes with a murderous gaze and birds of prey flew above it to protect if from humans. The ancient Greeks spoke of diamonds as splinters of stars fallen to the earth or even those they were tears of Gods.
The truth is, however, that the exact origin of diamonds is still a mystery to historians, scientists and geologists.
WHY IS IT SO VALUABLE?
Even though diamond production has increased in recent years, it is estimated that as little as 350 tons have ever been mined in recorded history to date, out of which less than half of it qualifies as gem quality. Even fewer are large enough to be cut into diamonds that are much bigger than the head of a match!
DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH!
A diamond in the rough state, (uncut) looks like a pebble and mostly anybody would not be able to tell as to what lies beneath! And it is the skill and expertise of the master cutter who can see it and reveal it with the utmost precision and skillfulness. The art is such, that there is barely any room for mistakes and that is why there are so few master cutters.
SHAPING THE ROUGH
It is up to the master cutter to decide which shape to cut a certain rough, as only he can determine upon examination as to which rough will give him the maximum yield and at the same time the angle at which he strikes will give him the maximum brilliance after the diamond has been cut and polished.
IN THE HANDS OF THE JEWELER
Now that the diamond has been cut and polished, it makes its way to the manufacturers of jewelry. It is here that the diamond is then examined again and decided as to which kind of mounting to be used, which would give the most exposure to the brilliance of the diamond and compliment its size and shape. Designs that highlight and focus on the fire and entrancing eternal beauty of the diamonds themselves are mostly chosen. |
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