Everybody knows the slogan “diamonds are forever” because they carry the symbol of everlasting love and are known to be one of the hardest materials on earth. While others look for alternative stones for their engagement rings, diamonds persist as the best ring to use for weddings. Many believe that diamonds were first discovered in India around 3000 to 6000 thousand years ago. Today, diamonds are still the most popular choice for engagement rings.
In addition, the diamond is known as the birthstone for the month of April and it also marks the 60th anniversary of marriage. Apart from all these great symbolic meanings, we’ll also discuss many other topics such as the meaning and history of diamonds, it’s physical properties, the different colors of diamonds and their meanings, and more.
Let’s get to it...
History Of Diamonds
The word diamond has two possible origins, both from the Greek language. The first is from the word “Adamao” which means “I subdue” or “I tame”, while the second is “Adamas”, which means unbreakable or inflexible — this later became the word by which a diamond would be described. The earliest account of diamonds in history dates back to the 4th Century BC, found in a Sanskrit manuscript from the Gurjara Pratihara Empire (a northern Indian dynasty).
In the 13th century, diamonds, gold, and pearls started to adorn European jewelry, and three centuries later, faceting was introduced, giving way to the concept of fire and brilliance. By 1330, Venice had begun the diamond-cutting industry, which helped to further its trade with Belgium and France. At this time, diamonds have already established their reputation as a stone that carries power and rarity, until Diamond deposits were discovered in South Africa in the 1870s. In the following year, the gemstone quickly became a public commodity. Today, they are traded worldwide and are mined in 25 countries.
The Story Behind The Engagement Ring Tradition
Every country shares the custom of giving engagements rings to their significant other, and is part of every culture, but did you know that it was the Romans who started this tradition? The first recorded use of a diamond engagement ring dates back to the Renaissance, where the gem was both expensive and rare. Because of this, simpler metal bands were more commonly used but those who can afford diamonds favored them.
In Ancient Egypt, rings and circles have been viewed as a symbol of eternal love and life and have long represented love and power. This view was shared by the Romans, Greeks, and eventually the whole world. For the diamond itself, it’s hardness has become synonymous with love and union — diamonds represent the resilience and shine that we want in our own marriages. But because engagement rings can be such a huge long-term investment, diamonds have truly come to represent the qualities of pure and everlasting love.
Diamond Meanings
Symbol For Marriage
The concept of diamonds being used as a symbol for marriage started in the Renaissance when people used diamonds in their engagement rings in an attempt to make their marriage bond unbreakable, just like the stone. This was later highlighted by the De Beers Corporation (an international corporation that specializes in diamond mining) and romanticized the idea of an unbreakable bond should be sealed by an unbreakable stone and that marriage should be protected by eternal strength.
Love & Commitment
As explained above, diamonds have come to symbolize both love and commitment — there was actually a time in the past when rings were without gemstones, but this has all changed. Nowadays, it is almost impossible to find an engagement ring without a diamond or a similar alternative. Such alternatives are lab-grown diamonds that carry the same meaning and symbolism as their natural counterparts. They also have the same chemical, physical, and visual characteristics as natural diamonds and also represent unbreakable and endless love. There are, however, a few distinctive qualities that lab diamonds have that aren’t shared by natural diamonds:
- Lab-grown diamonds ensure ethical practices and guarantee there’s no mining involved.
- Lab diamonds go through a shorter supply chain, making it more environmentally friendly.
- Lab diamonds are grown using state-of-the-art technology.
- They are also much more budget-friendly and can save you up to 25% to 75% compared to mined diamonds.
Status & Wealth
Diamonds are also a huge symbol of wealth and status — just as royal families and aristocrats used to collect diamonds, we can also see them today adorning phone cases, wallets, clothing, and bags. And while diamonds have become more prevalent in recent times, they are still a luxury product and are reserved for those who can afford it.
Beauty & Luxury
Diamonds also represent extravagance and beauty, from presidential dinners to the red carpet in Hollywood, diamonds are found on accessories and jewelry aside from rings, including earrings, necklaces, watches, and bracelets. There’s something about the way that light sparkles and reflects on this gemstone that gives a sense of elegance and captivates our eyes.
Spiritual Meaning
Physical Healing
Many believe that diamonds have properties that promote physical healing, helping to bring together the body and the mind. It further assists by bringing all our faculties together to cleanse our mind, body, and soul.
Spiritual Healing
According to healers, diamonds are the perfect stone for those who feel confused and lost, as these crystals help to cleanse your aura from negative thoughts and replaces them with positivity and love.
Emotional Healing
Diamonds can also help with emotional healing, as it can magnify the emotions you feel. It is known to act as a mirror to our emotional state, which is why we need to be careful when wearing this stone, as it can enhance both positive and negative energies.
Diamond Colors & What They Mean
While diamonds are usually white, they can also be found in different colors, which are associated with different meanings, such as:
- Red Diamonds: This type is extremely rare and valuable, and is known to symbolize courage.
- Pink Diamonds: This is also somewhat rare and is hugely sought after because of their classically beautiful color. It represents romance, joy, and creativity.
- Orange Diamonds: These are also a rare type of diamond which are mixed with the chemical presence of boron. It represents enthusiasm and energy.
- Yellow Diamonds: Are some of the most common of the hued diamonds, and are formed with nitrogen. They are sometimes referred to as gold diamonds and have been used in famous jewelry pieces, creating some of the most unique engagement ring designs. They’re also known to symbolize pure friendship and happiness.
- Blue Diamonds: Are traditionally used to symbolize power and royalty since blue is a color of nobility. Giving a blue diamond to a loved one symbolizes the highest level of love and respect for the wearer.
- Brown Diamonds: Represent a sense of being grounded and humble, because it’s color imitates the earth beneath us. Brown diamonds are formed with the presence of nitrogen and symbolize balance and inner strength.
- Black Diamonds: These mysterious gems hold a deeper meaning, which is described to be that of transcendence. Additionally, the black diamond symbolizes power, authority, and charisma.
Diamond: Physical Properties & Science
Strength
Diamonds are highly regarded for their beauty, as well as their reputation for being the hardest mineral on the planet. Made out of pure carbon which has strongly bonded atoms, this trait is found only in this gem, making it immensely strong and durable. They have a rating of 10 on the Mohs scale, which means they are as hard as a stone can possibly be, and as such, only diamonds can scratch other diamonds. It also keeps its luster for a very long time and is suitable for everyday wear.
Different Colors
Diamonds, in their most natural form, are generally clear, but due to impurities such as boron and nitrogen, they can also be found with different coloration. Other hues include red, pink, orange, yellow, green, blue, brown, and black.
Brilliance
The brilliance of a diamond is derived from its dispersion, reflection, and refraction. When a ray of light passes through a diamond and is bent, it is refracted. The bent ray is then reflected through a facet at the bottom of the stone, then up to the top of the stone. Dispersion occurs when each ray is bent at a slightly different angle during the refraction phase. Diamonds are also known to have the highest index of refraction of all the gems.
Cut
The cut of a diamond is determined by mathematical and empirical analysis, but most people refer to this as the shape of the diamond. There are many different cuts for diamonds, with the most popular being the brilliant cut, followed by the princess, marquise, cushion, emerald, radiant, pear, oval, and more. A Brilliant cut doesn't refer to the shape of the stone, but rather the symmetry and proportion of the diamond.
Diamond Gift Ideas
Here at Lexie Jordan, we offer only the finest diamond jewelry that is personalized and hand-crafted, so you can take home a one-of-a-kind piece that speaks to who you are. Our selection includes diamond charms, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings. Look for our products here to find the perfect diamond gift idea for your loved one. We also accept custom-made orders to make your gift extra special and full of love.
Other Gemstones & What They Symbolize
Everybody knows what diamonds are, but what about other gemstones? There are plenty of different stones, each with their own color and symbolism:
Ruby: This red gem is also a popular choice for gem enthusiasts and Medieval Europeans believed it to be a symbol of wealth, health, and wisdom.
Sapphire: As with all things blue, this beautiful gem has been long associated with royalty and romance.
Topaz: This bright, yellow-colored stone is known to represent strength, love, intelligence, and fidelity.
Peridot: Ancient Egyptians referred to this green stone as the “gem of the sun”.
Morganite: This beautiful, pink-colored gem is said to embody compassion, peace, healing, and promise.
