Diamonds have always carried a special sort of symbolism throughout history. Today, it's mostly recognized for its significance in romance - with a diamond ring being the most important ring a man ever buys, and offers to the woman he loves.
But a long time before that, loose diamonds a very different type of symbolism and meaning. For millennia, the traits of diamonds which have renedered them so valuable so treasured have been interpreted by different cultures diversely, and their strength, hardness, brilliance and wonder have signified various meanings.
Long ago, the Greeks held the belief that diamonds were the tears with the gods because of its physical properties that have also been out of this world. The Romans believed roughly the identical, only as an alternative to being the tears with the gods they believed that diamonds were fragments of fallen stars.
Halfway around the world from there, in ancient India diamonds were shown to have magical properties and were of specific religious and mythological significance. Diamonds in India were never cut, since it was declared if they were their powers would dissipate.
In Tibetan Buddhism, diamonds also play a crucial role and in fact Tibetan Buddhism is actually called Vajrayana which loosely translates into the Diamond Vehicle, the other of their most significant texts is known as the Diamond Sutra.
Since those medieval times, several other myths and legends have sprung forth around diamonds too. In the Middle Ages, it had been thought that diamonds could tell whether a person was innocent or guilty, which a diamond would darken within the presence of guilt, and shine bright within the presence of innocence.
This remarkable stone in addition has always been told bring luck and fortune to anybody who wears it, and in some cases warriors and Kings would wear it into battle, believing that it would bring them victory over their enemies.
As you can tell, the symbolism and meaning behind diamonds has varied throughout history.
Its modern symbolism of romance and marriage only began in 1477 in the event the Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a hoop to Mary of Burgundy because of their engagement. Although prior to that there happen to be cases of betrothal gifts that involve diamond jewelry such as tiaras, brooches, and necklaces - that's the first case of the diamond ring being given upon an engagement.
Of course - the others is history.
Today, the value of Diamond Jewellery in romance and engagement may be the predominant symbolism around the world. It includes a special meaning, and has potent emotional significance, but it doesn't mean that it could not one day symbolize something quite different again.
Who knows exactly what the future holds for the symbolism and specification of diamonds.
