?Diamond? comes from the Greek word ?adamas? which is used to describe something which is invincible. The word eventually became synonymous with diamonds because of their incredible strength and durability and due to their beautiful form; diamonds have been loved and cherished by humans for thousands of years.



India was believed to be the world's top source for diamonds for many centuries, but in today's world, these gorgeous stones are mined in around 25 countries, on every continent but Europe and Antarctica with a majority being from southern and central Africa. A huge amount of these diamond mines are owned by a company called De Beers who formed in 1860 and now are responsible for over 40% of diamonds by value worldwide!

Diamonds are created by crystalisation from solid substances of the earth condensing under extreme temperatures (2000 degrees) and pressure at depths of roughly 90 miles. Volcanic magma is believed to be responsible for transferring the diamonds in rocks from the center of the earth to its surface, where they are mined and used to great value.

Extraordinarily small diamonds are believed to be formed in similar strange conditions or ones such as meteors striking earth's surface with the impact being responsible for such tiny sizes. Diamonds in this form are not seen to be particularly valuable.

In industries, diamonds have three primary roles. They are imbedded in another material, used as cutting tools, and turned into powder or paste for grinding and polishing. Because of its hardness and resistance to abrasion, the diamond is extremely popular in industries and is believed to outweigh its costs due to the stones long working life and fast cutting action.

Diamonds fashion metals, stones, concrete, and eyeglasses as well as gems, and computer chips. Its quick growing popularity now means it is used in blades, critical surgery equipment and specialty windows.

After Diamonds are mined, they cannot be immediately placed into a piece of jewellery without a few adjustments. Firstly the diamonds are cut by special diamond cutting equipment and then they are polished and ready to transform into beautiful diamond jewellery such as elegant diamond engagement rings or necklaces. This type of jewellery is now becoming extremely popular and is beginning to outgrow the rate at which tradition pieces such as gold engagement rings are sold.

In many cultures across the ages the word ?diamond? has been related to traits such as invulnerability, magic lightning, protection, healing, and poisoning but in today's world diamonds are used to more value and are seen as a symbol of durability, wealth, status, and peerless quality and beauty.