Discuss gems and the focus is always on diamonds. It goes without saying they are the most popular of gems, but what is all the fuss about? Glad you asked. In a relationship, symbols are important and vital. Jewelry represents a number of symbols. If you really care for the other person, nothing beats diamond jewelry to deliver the message. But why do we have these symbolic images associated with diamonds? The answer lies in the nature of the diamond itself. To better understand the fuss about diamonds, we need to focus on how they come to be. Diamonds are also unique in their creation. They are the only gem created from one element. The element is carbon. Although carbon is common, it is rare in diamond form. To understand diamonds, you have to first understand carbon. It is the building block of practically everything on the planet. In its pure form, it is not clear or hard. A diamond is a creation of the inner workings of our planet. In simple terms, we are talking about heat and pressure. Carbon pockets within the planet crust are put under tremendous pressure and heat for millions of years. The result is a clear, hard substance that needs a name. As often occurs, the Greeks were Johnny on the spot when it came to naming this clear substance. Given the difficulty in breaking or cutting it, the name came from the Greek word for unconquerable. Adamas is the specific word and fits nicely. If diamonds are formed in the crust of the planet, how do we find them? Well, we mine for them, but no mine is deep enough to reach them. Instead, we focus on volcanic areas where diamonds have been pushed up to the surface in lava flows and explosions. Diamonds are exceedingly old. The heating and pressure process can take millions of years. Most diamonds used in jewelry are between one and three billion years old. Not all diamonds are created equally. Of the total diamonds mined each year, most cannot be used for jewelry. In fact, only 20 percent are, which makes them precious. Oddly, diamonds have not been used in jewelry for that long of a period given the time span of man. Despite all the kings and queens of the past, diamonds were only first used in royal jewelry in Austria in the 15th century. Obviously, they have become a bit more popular since then. The nature of a diamond is the very thing that makes it so valued. It is nearly unbreakable. It is the very definition of a time commitment, taking millions of years to form. What better symbols could there every be for jewelry?
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Discuss gems and the focus is always on diamonds. It goes without saying they are the most popular of gems, but what is all the fuss about? Glad you asked.
Arsne Bergkamp is with JewelryStoresforYou.com - your source for diamond quality information. Get a unique version of this article from our diamond article directory
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