Monday, August 1, 2011

Not Just Diamonds Anymore: the Newest Eternity Rings

By Gaby Schulz


When it comes to history, diamonds have a very long and fascinating record as one of the most intriguing gemstones on the planet. You may be familiar with the term, 'Diamonds are Forever', made popular by the De Beers advertising campaigns and for good reason. Forged billions of years ago, long before dinosaurs roamed the planet, they have survived the forces of nature to reach us. They have been used throughout the ages as bearers of mystic powers and incredible beauty. Through the centuries they have been revered and admired by many civilisations.

The wearing of a diamond ring on the ring finger, or fourth finger of the left hand, is derived from the ancient Egyptians. This is due to their belief that the vein that extends from this particular finger to the heart is also the 'vein of love'. This tradition is still practiced today, much like the giving of a diamond ring as a symbol of engagement and true love.

Most people associate the wearing of diamonds to rings for engagement to be married. There are plenty of occasions that warrant diamonds and diamond pendants, diamond bracelets and diamond earrings make excellent choices for marking a special occasion or memorable life moment. Remember, diamonds have for quite a while been (and will certainly continue to be) a girl's best friend. Any celebration that is cause for joy is an excellent occasion for a gift of diamonds.

Prior to that, diamond jewelry was worn almost exclusively by royalty. The earliest example of diamonds being placed in a setting dates from the time of the Norman Invasion of England; at that time, one of the Arpad kings of Hungary, possibly Andrew I, had rough-cut diamonds set into a crown for his queen. However, cut diamonds would not be available for another half-millennium.

During the Dark Ages, diamonds were believed to hold medicinal value. There were instructions that those suffering illnesses or having wounds should hold a diamond in the hand and make a sign of the cross for healing. Some even believed that ingesting diamonds could assist in recovery (and even a cure) from various illnesses.




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