by Amanda Applebyinfo@amandaappleby.comDiamond Jewellery
Diamonds are as revered as they are beautiful, and they are the gemstone most frequently chosen for engagement rings. This tradition dates back to the 15th century, when the first recorded betrothal diamond ring was given to Mary of Burgundy by the Archduke Maximilian of Austria. These precious stones represent romance and devotion, and they are seen as symbols of enduring love.
Formed millions of years ago, deep below the earth's surface, diamonds are the hardest mineral on the planet, and they score a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale. This makes them an ideal choice for rings, as well as earrings, bracelets, pendants and brooches.
A diamond's traditional cut is the round brilliant cut, but other popular shapes for rings are the emerald and princess cuts. The pear cut is favoured for earrings and pendants.
Women all over the world love diamonds, but their colour makes them gender neutral, and so they are also worn by men - most often as earrings or cufflinks. They are the perfect complement when set with coloured stones, but are just as striking as a solitaire. Before choosing diamond jewellery, it is important to know the Four C's - cut, colour, clarity and carat - as these help to determine the beauty and value of the stone.
Antique diamond jewellery can be a thoughtful anniversary gift, particularly if it dates back to the Victorian or Edwardian eras. During Queen Victoria's reign, acrostic rings were commonly worn - and a word like ''dearest'' would be ''spelled out'' by setting certain stones in a specific order. The first letter of each stone would be used to create a word. When Edward was king, the jewellery of choice was all white, and so diamonds were often paired up with platinum.
With well-known phrases like ''A diamond is forever'', and ''Diamonds are a girl's best friend'', this sparkling stone has cemented its position as one of the biggest gestures of love and commitment, and diamond jewellery is seen as the perfect way to say ''I love you''.