It should come as no surprise that our culture was not the first to be lured by the hypnotic spell the diamond casts. Consider the ancient Greeks and Romans who believed diamonds were tears of the Gods and splinters from falling stars. Then, there were the Hindus, who attributed so much power to these precious stones they went so far as to place diamonds in the eyes of some of their statues.

The Power of Diamonds
Not only was it believed that diamonds could bring luck and success, but also that they could counter the effects of astrological events. There were many that wore diamonds as charms believing in their ability to heighten sexual prowess and attract others. Plato even wrote about diamonds as living beings, embodying celestial spirits.
Through the centuries, rings have perpetuated the talismanic role of the diamond. In the Middle Ages and Renaissance period, every ring that was set with a precious stone was not considered so much as a piece of jewellery, but more as an amulet that conveyed magical powers like fearlessness and invincibility upon the wearer. This myth laid the groundwork for monarchs to begin wearing diamonds as symbols of power.
Today, diamonds continue to hold a deep fascination as the world's ultimate symbol of love. The diamond's rarity and natural beauty are the qualities that have contributed to making the diamond such a special and magical gift.

One million years in the making
What many people don't know about diamonds is that they were formed under immense heat and pressure hundreds of miles below sea level. After 100 million years of formation, volcanic explosions forced them upward, exposing their natural beauty to the world. Diamonds were formed more than 70 million years ago when diamond-bearing ore was brought to the surface through volcanic eruption. After the magma cooled, it solidified into blue ground, or kimberlite, where the precious rough is still found today. Rated 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, diamonds are the hardest substances on earth, but their appeal goes far beyond durability.
Adding to the mystery and aura of what make diamonds so sought-after, approximately 250 tons of ore must be mined and processed in order to produce a single, one-carat, polished, gem-quality diamond.

Mining and cutting
It was over 4,000 years ago that the first diamonds were mined in India. Modern mining as we know it today began in South Africa in the late 19th century. Today, the top seven diamond-producing countries, accounting for 80 percent of the world's rough diamond supply, are Botswana, Russia, South Africa, Angola, Namibia, Australia and Zaire.