Diamonds were always associated with romance and legends. The ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were splinters of stars fallen to earth, and that they were the tears of the gods. As the ultimate gift of love, the Romans thought Cupid's arrows were tipped with magical diamonds, and even the word "diamond" comes from the Greek word "adamas" (unconquerable and indestructible), as a symbol of the eternity of love. Another legend was about a diamond valley in central Asia, one which was patrolled by birds of prey in the air and by murderous snakes on the ground.
The first recorded history of diamonds goes back some 3,000 years, when they were valued for their ability to reflect light. Back than, diamonds were used not only as decorations, but also as talismans, which provide protection in battles and vanish evil spirits. In dark ages, diamonds were sometimes used as medical aid, and were even ingested in order to cure illnesses. Pope Clement was one of the unfortunate ones to try this method. Needless to say, his recovery didn't go well.
It is around the Middle Ages when attention was directed to the worth of diamonds rather than their mystical powers. In those days, many large and famous diamonds were discovered in India, and its popularity surged. Until the 15th century only kings wore diamonds, as a symbol of strength and courage. The tradition of diamonds engagement rings began only in 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy.
In 1730, diamonds were found in Brazil, but that wasn't enough to meet the increasing demand. The mid-nineteenth century discovery of diamonds in South Africa sparked the world's biggest diamond rush, and helped to satiate the world's increasing appetite for diamonds. During the mid-nineteenth century, diamonds were also discovered in eastern Australia. But only in the late 1970's Australia's alleged potential as a diamond producer was validated, when the Argyle pipe was found, and became the world's largest volume producer of diamonds.
The history of diamonds is a long history of legends, love and mystery. These legends still live with us, and diamond rings act as love symbols today as they have always been. Remember that mystery also remains - the exact origin of diamonds is still something of unknown character, even to scientists and geologists of our times.
