Diamonds belong to the group of precious stones that our mother nature gives us.
In addition to being beautiful, they are also a symbol of love, well-being, romance, and happiness.
The name Diamond originates from the Greek word αδάμας (adámas), which means “proper”,
“unalterable”, “unbreakable”, “untamed”.
All diamond lovers at least once wondered about the origin of diamonds, when and where was found the first diamond, and which states are the largest manufacturers of diamonds.
We will try to answer these questions.
The first diamond was recorded in 4th century BC in India
There are different stories about the origin of diamonds, but the first diamonds have been discovered in India in the 4th century BC.
However, the infamous deposits were formed 900 million years ago.
Diamonds in India at that time were a precious gift from the gods, and the locals used them on a variety of occasions.
They used them as jewelry, and they were worn in battles as amulets for happiness.
Moreover, they believed diamonds cure diseases, and were also used as cutting tools.
They also used these early stones for trade and transported them from India to China after the trade network known as SILK ROAD.
The old Silk Road route between India and China
Until the 18th century, India was considered the sole source of diamonds, but when mines in India were exhausted, a search for alternative sources was initiated.
After India, the largest location for diamonds is South Africa.
The story begins when the 15 year-old Erasmus Jacobs accidentally finds it on the screen a rock at his father’s farm on the southern coast of Orange River.
By 1869 the diamonds were found farther away from any river flow and at most in the mines of the city of Kimberley.
Over the next few years, South Africa produced more diamonds than India produced for the past 2000 years.
In 1979, the most significant diamond mine was discovered below Gabbroe sill, stretching 400 feet beneath the surface of the earth.
In this mine is found the most significant diamond with a diameter of 51mm, over 25mm wide, and 19mm thick.
Later, this diamond is known as Niarchos.
The Niarchos in its preform shape. April, 1958 issue of National Geographic.
In Europe, the first diamonds arrived in the 13th century.
On the orders of Louis IX who brought the diamonds to the royal palace as a special gift for the king.
In this way, he emphasized their value and rarity.
Later in the following years, diamonds became the main embroideries in the royal court.
Even then, diamonds were worn by both men and women as jewelry, and as part of their clothing.
By doing so, they highlighted their place in society.
Of course, at that time diamonds were available only for the aristocracy, while rich trading classes boasted and praised their diamonds.
They carried them on events and balls, and thus emphasized their status in society.
The first diamond cutting and processing industry in Europe is believed to have been established in Venice in 1330.
And later in the late 14th century, the diamonds began to be processed in Paris.
The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to the Orient around the Cape of Good Hope in 1499, enabling Europeans to smoothly rifle with diamonds coming from India.
The history of diamonds in Russia began back in the 18th century, and more important research began in late 1930.
Unfortunately, these researches were broke out by the onset of the Second World War.
The first diamond deposits were discovered in Yakutia in 1954, after which the Soviet Union became the largest diamond producer in the world.
In 1957, Yakutalmaz Trust was formed, which will produce the first industrial diamond the same year.
In 1982, new diamond mines were found in Botswana, which became the second country in the world for the production of diamonds.
Jwaneng Mine produced so many diamonds of high quality and great value that the world diamond corporation De Beers was also interested in.
Jwaneng mine in Botswana. Image by De Beers Group of Companies
The De Beers Group of Companies is an international corporation that specializes in diamonds, diamond processing, diamond research, and diamond mining research.
It was founded in 1888 by the British businessman Cecil John Rhodes.
The company operates in 35 countries and mining takes place in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Canada.
De Beers Group today sells about 35% of the world’s rough diamond production.
In 1985 significant diamond deposits were also found in Australia.
The largest and most important diamond deposit in Australia is Argyle mine.
This mine is the largest in scale, and produces a large amount of high quality precious stones.
Most of them are used in the industry and around 5% are gemstone quality.
The Argyle mine is especially prominent in the production of unique and rare pink and red diamonds.
The largest diamond discovered so far in Australia was excavated in the Merlin mine in 2003 and weighed 104.73 carats.
Diamonds have been appreciated for centuries, although in the past there was not much knowledge about them.
Since then, knowledge about diamonds has increased greatly thanks to modern technology and of course experts such as chemists, physicists, geologists, and others.
In the last 60 years, scientists have learned a lot about the formation of diamonds, their chemical composition and how they are transported to the surface of the earth.
And all this makes it easier to discover new diamond sources.
As early as the first century CE Roman naturalist Pliny said that
“Diamond is the most valuable, not only of all precious stones, but of all things in this world.”
Diamonds have always fascinated the man with its beauty and its splendor.
Many stories and legends are tied with diamonds, indicating their importance.
These precious stones have been and will be an inspiration for many books, songs and films.
Diamonds, as indestructible precious stones, were the target of many rulers.
But they still remain one of the most beautiful things Mother Nature gives us.
Today, the world’s most famous diamond producers are: Russia, South Africa and Angola.
This is the history of diamonds – the most precious stones we know.