English, French, German, Hebrew, Latin, Arabic, Japanese, American,
African, Korean, Polish, and Chinese cultures, among others. The world’s
first known reference to this gemstone comes from a Sanskrit manuscript, the
Arthsastra (which translates as The Lesson of Profit) written by Kautiliya,
a minister to Chandragupta of the Mauryan Dynasty (322 BC – 185 BC). Roman
literature makes its first distinct mention of diamonds only in the first
century AD, in reference to the alluvial diamonds found in India and Borneo.
The ancient Greeks and Romans believed they were tears of the Gods and
splinters from falling stars. Cupids' arrows were supposed to be tipped with
diamonds, having thus a magic that nothing else can equal. Plato wrote about
diamonds as living beings, embodying celestial spirits. The Hindus
believed that they were created when bolts of lightning struck rocks. They
even placed some in the eyes of some of their statues. Jewish high priests
turned to diamonds to decide the innocence or guilt of the accused: a stone
held before a guilty person was supposed to dull and darken, while when held
before an innocent one to glow with increased brilliance… The Romans wore
diamonds because these were thought to possess broad magical powers over
life’s troubles, being able in particular to give to the wearer strength,
invincibility, bravery, and courage during battle. Kings, in old days, led
the battles on the battlefields wearing heavy leather breastplates studded
with diamonds and other precious stones because it was believed that
diamonds possessed God given magical qualities and powers far beyond the
understanding of common man. Thus, warriors stayed clear of Kings and those
who were fortunate enough to have the magical diamonds in their
breastplates.
Comes from the Greek word, "adamus" which means unconquerable. Fitting that it should be the gem most used to symbolize ones' love. Diamonds started their history as being worn only by men as they were supposedly able to instill courage and virtue to soldiers in battle. It wasn't until the mid-nineteenth century when Agnes Sorel, mistress to King Charles VII of France, began wearing diamonds and started the new fashion for women. The myths and facts associated with the diamond transcends cultures and continents, and the prominence of this stone is inscribed in the Greek, Indian,
