The Language of Beauty

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Diamonds are a girl's best friend. Diamonds are forever. Diamonds are the supreme gift of love....From time immemorial diamonds have been associated with love, power, mystical and healing powers. At the same time they also have been shrouded in myths and beliefs. Diamonds have a great number of superstitions attached to them, but apparently it is believed that even Cleopatra was superstitious about this particular stone.

Diamonds, made from carbon are a kind of rock, formed millions of years ago. Diamond is derived from the Greek word 'adamastos' meaning "unrelenting and unconquerable." King Louis IX of France valued diamonds so high that he established a law reserving diamonds for the king alone. Always diamonds have been a step ahead of other gems.

Cut is the key to a diamond. It was during the16th century that diamonds were first cut and polished, thus flaunting it's brilliance and fire. Jewllery experts and gemologists advice four Cs, to be borne in mind while buying diamonds- the carat weight, colour, clarity and cut. Beauty of a diamond primarily depends on the cut, because this unlocks the brilliant sparkle and fire, which the diamond holds.

It is known to a few that diamonds actually occur in different colours- deep red and blue. These diamonds are however very rare. Some of the world's greatest diamonds have originated in India like the much-celebrated Kohinoor, Great Mogul and Orlov.

The Kohinoor was finally bought by Britain in 1849 after it changed hands a couple of times. Before it was recut in 1852 it weighed 191 carats and now weighs 108 carats. The Great Mogul was found in 1650 and weighed 280 carats. Its whereabouts however are unknown. The Orlov, was supposedly stolen from an Indian temple where it formed one of the eyes of an idol. It weighed nearly 200 carats. It was eventually bought by Russian Court and now adorns the Kremlin treasures.

Some myths about Diamonds
Diamonds have been believed to increase strength and also drive away nightmares. In ancient times, they were used to protect people from wild beasts and heal sicknesses. They are considered to be excellent for giving confidence, purity of body, mind and spirit. Most of them understand that they attract good fortune. Did you know that diamonds have been used as a lie detector? It would be placed in a dark room with the person in question. If he were innocent, it would glow in the dark

In some cultures there is still a deep rooted superstition about diamonds, for example in Malaysian diamond mines, if a stone contained in its centre a grey or black ghost diamond, the well where it was found is abandoned: a Malaysian legend holds that these stones hold the "soul of the diamond", and the mine will die if its soul leaves it.

Such is talk about the most celebrated of gems. Today it is the most sought after.

Care for your diamonds
Take care of your diamonds so that they are ever beautiful and never loose their luster. Loose diamonds are strong but with a single blow it will chip. Brush your diamond jewellery gently with water and a little ammonia. Keep them away from lotions and household cleaners. These can dampen the luster. It is best to store diamond jewellery separately rolled in cotton or paper so that they do not rub against each other. It is advisable to keep diamonds in their original velvet boxes.