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Health & Fitness

Dazzling Diamonds

April's Birthstone

Diamonds have a long history of capturing the imagination.  Even before we learned how to cut them, diamonds were given names invoking the fierce mystery of lightning (Hindu:“vajra”) and wild invincibility (Greek/Latin: “adamas”).

In the 16th century (during the Renaissance in Europe) techniques to  make simple cuts and polish the facets were developed.  The art of cutting diamonds was born, and the stones became ever more desirable in both the Western and Eastern worlds.  Each new technology brought with it the ability to give diamonds more facets, leading the the brilliant, fiery, and symmetrical diamonds we know today.

Diamonds in the USA
The restricted access to diamond mines makes the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, USA the only publicly available diamonds in the world.  In the early 1900’s an Arkansas farmer discovered diamonds on his land.  Over time, the mine proved too difficult and unprofitable to run and ended up changing hands again and again until it became a state park in 1972.  Since then, adventurers from all over have been able to camp and hunt for diamonds.  About 600 diamonds are found and taken home by visitors each year.  It was here, in 1990, that the Strawn-Wagner diamond was found; it is reportedly the first diamond ever given a “perfect” rating for color, cut, and clarity.

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April’s Birthstone
As a birthstone, diamond is said to enhance relationships, clear the mind, and provide balance and abundance. Diamonds have come to symbolize eternity and romance to all wearers.  April babies are also lucky, because diamonds can come in many different colors.  Yellow, pink, blue, champagne, chocolate, and black diamonds have all made appearances in fashion jewelry.

Black Diamonds
Bold, high contrast pairings of white and black diamonds are a popular trend in fashion diamond jewelry but there is some confusion on what makes a black diamond.  How can traditional diamonds and black diamonds be the same stone, but look so entirely different?

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First, let’s clear up this up: black diamonds are NOT coal. They, like all other diamonds, are a 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making them the hardest substance on earth.  This is good news for you– black or white, your diamond jewelry is very durable.  The main difference between what you usually think of as diamonds and black diamonds is the crystal structure.  A colorless or fancy color diamond (blue, pink, etc.) is cut from a single crystal.  A black diamond is actually millions of diamond crystals bonded strongly together.

The History of the Diamond Engagement Ring
While engagement bands have been around since Ancient Egypt, the first well-documented use of a diamond ring to signify engagement was in 1477, by Archduke Maximilian of Austria, in the imperial court of Vienna.  He presented a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy upon their betrothal.  This influenced people of higher social class in Europe, and started one of the biggest trends in history.  In 1870 diamond mines were discovered in Africa, increasing supply, and therefore, accessibility to those of lesser means.  However, diamonds were still considered for the aristocracy for a long time and traditionalists favored the simple engagement band.  It wasn’t until the 1930’s in the United States that the idea of a diamond engagement ring was considered standard.  And to this day many don’t consider it a true engagement until a diamond ring is presented.

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