DIAMOND OVERVIEW
“Diamond, the king of gemstones, is a precious stone and the hardest mineral on Earth, and this combined with its exceptional lustre and brilliant fire, has made it the most sought-after gem of all.”
DIAMOND
Hardness - 10
DIAMOND FORMATION
100 miles (160 km) deep in the Earth, a layer separating our hospitable exterior from the molten core, known as the mantle, is where diamonds were made. Temperatures boiled above 1,000 degrees Celsius and pressure exceeded 725,000 pounds per square inch. The extreme heat and pressure combined actually modified graphite, a crystalline carbon, on the atomic level. This restructured graphite’s molecular composition from a hexagonal sheet pattern into a triangular shape, resulting in a diamond.
Diamonds are not only formed under the heat and pressure of the Earth’s gravity but can form in the midst of a collision between Earth and an asteroid. Unfortunately, the diamonds created during a cosmic collision are not likely to be of gemstone quality. However, they maintain their strength and are likely used for cutting or other industrial purposes.
MEANING & ENERGY
Wedding - 60th Anniversary
Birthstone - April
Zodiac - Aries, Taurus, Leo
Planet - Venus
In ancient Greek and Roman culture, diamonds were thought to be the tears of the gods or fragments of fallen stars, whereas indigenous peoples of North and Central America, considered diamonds a signature of the butterfly and a symbol of immortality. In Medieval Europe, diamonds were worn on the left side of the body as a source of protection. This ties in with the Roman idea that the fourth finger on the left hand was directly connected to the heart, and is where the custom of wearing wedding and engagement rings on this finger originates.
Exuding an otherworldly brilliance, diamonds have historically represented harmony, abundance, prosperity, strength, purity, love and fidelity, which gives the diamond engagement ring a talismanic symbolism.
A symbol of purity, the diamond’s pure white light helps to bring our lives into a cohesive whole. It brings love and clarity into partnerships, and bonding relationships. Diamond is a sign of commitment and fidelity and instils trust in relationships and situations. It also inspires the forces of accumulation, attracting the manifestation of abundance. Diamond is an energy amplifier. It is a stone that never requires recharging. It will bring strength and endurance to all energies and will enhance the power of other crystals. However, beware, as this means it will increase negative energy as well as positive! Excellent for blocking electromagnetic stress and for protection against cell phone emanations. Diamond imparts fearlessness, invincibility and fortitude. It clears emotional and mental pain, reducing fear and bringing about new beginnings. Stimulates creativity, inventiveness, imagination and ingenuity. It brings clarity of mind and aids enlightenment. Diamond allows the soul light to shine out. It aids spiritual evolution and reminds you of your soul’s aspirations.
In many cultures, people believe diamond purifies and detoxifies all of the body’s systems, rebalancing the metabolism, and building up stamina, strength and treating allergies and chronic conditions. It also helps glaucoma and clears sight. It is also believed that diamond effectively treats dizziness and vertigo, and benefits the brain.
CULTURED DIAMOND
A cultured or lab-grown diamond is a diamond: chemically, physically and optically identical to a mined diamond. Naturally occurring diamonds are forged in the crushing pressure and immense heat of the Earth’s mantle around 100 miles underground. Most were formed between 1bn and 3bn years ago at a time when our planet was hotter than it is today. Lab-grown diamonds are also created using extreme pressure and heat but inside a machine rather than the bowels of the Earth. So in short, a cultured diamond is a real diamond.
Many industry experts suggest that the total environmental footprint of mined diamonds is much higher than lab diamonds. “It takes an entire factor more energy to extract an underground diamond from Earth than it takes to create one above ground... On top of this, the energy used in mining is generally dirty diesel versus renewable energy in our above-the-ground production,” by Diamond Foundry.
An estimated 250 tonnes of earth is shifted for every single carat of diamond. Some diamond mines are now so huge they can be seen from space using Nasa’s Terra satellite.
In EDXÚ, we offer a wide range of ethically grown diamonds in various types of cut, and they are often priced more competitively than traditionally mined diamonds. If you are interested in making a design using lab-grown diamonds or simply want to learn more about them, please feel free to get in touch.