As kids we've all heard that the diamond was the hardest substance known to man.  It was only while learning to become a diamond cutter did I begin to appreciate the full meaning of those words.  It is true that diamonds are a hard material, it is this hardness along with other physical properties that gives the diamond its unique position in the gem kingdom.  The diamond for all its other properties is the simplest of all the gem minerals.  It is made up of one element in its purest form, CARBON.  In diamond it is the way in which the atoms bonded together that make it different from the carbon of graphite, although they are the same material. Along with the hardness and purity, the diamonds ability to take a high polish and its relatively high refractive indices, gives the diamond the ability to reflect and refract light, or more simply put this is what gives the diamond its beautiful sparkle.

It is this beauty that has always attracted man to the diamond.   This attraction goes back in time many thousands of years.  The KOHINOOR, one of the great diamonds of history, was said to have been discovered in India nearly 5000 years ago.  It now resides in the crown jewels of England.  It has only been since about the 18 century that diamonds have become abundant enough that most people can afford to own them.  Prior to the discovery's of Brazilian and South African diamonds it was only royalty and the heads of state or the very wealthy that could afford ownership of diamonds.

There are volumes written on the history of diamonds and on historical diamonds, I do not intend to rewrite that history here.  However if you have any questions about diamonds I will be happy to answer any questions that are e-mailed to me.