Diamond Engagement Rings Throughout History
The scenario is played out thousands of times a day throughout the world; young men present diamond engagement rings to the ladies they desire to marry. This tradition, which dates back centuries in one form or another, has many variations. Nonetheless, diamond engagement rings continue to be a symbol of betrothal in much of the Western world.
Where It Started
Diamonds themselves have been available to ordinary people only for the past 150 years or so, although the idea of diamond engagement rings - without the diamonds - goes back much further - almost 800 years, in fact.
It was in 1215 that Pope Innocent III, presiding over the Fourth Lateran Council, decreed that there should be a longer waiting period between betrothal and marriage. These rings consisted of plain bands worn by both the man and the woman, and depending on socio-economic class of the couple, were made of gold, silver, bronze or iron. Although precious gems would have been unavailable to peasants in any case, laws were in place to make sure only those of "high rank" were allowed to wear such treasures.
Where It Started
Diamonds themselves have been available to ordinary people only for the past 150 years or so, although the idea of diamond engagement rings - without the diamonds - goes back much further - almost 800 years, in fact.
It was in 1215 that Pope Innocent III, presiding over the Fourth Lateran Council, decreed that there should be a longer waiting period between betrothal and marriage. These rings consisted of plain bands worn by both the man and the woman, and depending on socio-economic class of the couple, were made of gold, silver, bronze or iron. Although precious gems would have been unavailable to peasants in any case, laws were in place to make sure only those of "high rank" were allowed to wear such treasures.
Diamond Engagement Rings?
Although not used for betrothal, diamonds were mounted in rings as far back as Roman times. The earliest example of diamond engagement rings (which were actually wedding rings) date from 1477, the year in which Archduke Maximilian I of the House of Hapsburg married Marie of Burgundy. However, the practice of a man presenting his intended with a diamond engagement ring was only became common as the result of a major sales campaign by a huge, transnational corporation.
De Beers
Today, the DeBeers company controls about half of the worldwide diamond market. It was founded in 1888 by Cecil Rhodes, British-South African business magnate for whom the nation of Rhodesia (now Zambia and Zimbabwe) was named. It was the middle of the 20th century when a creative ad executive created the most memorable catch-phrase of all time: "A Diamond is Forever." Since the 1950s, average working men have been spending about two months' salary (the standard rule of thumb, according to the industry) for diamond engagement rings.
There was a similar . marketing attempt by the U.S diamond jewelry industry to create a market for similar diamond engagement rings for men by creating a "historical precedent" (which never existed). The effort was not successful, although the campaign did eventually result in a market for men's diamond wedding rings and "his and hers" sets.
How Much?
Even today, diamond engagement rings come in a wide range of prices. Some can be purchased for as little as $300 - $400, while others can run as high as five and six figures. Setting, as well as size, clarity, color and quality of cut are all determining factors in the price of diamond engagement rings.
By Jonathon Blocker
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Synthetic Diamonds on the market in Australia?
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Synthetic Diamonds on the market in Australia?
Synthetic Diamonds on the market in Australia?
Synthetic Diamond, AOTC-Created 0.54ct Round
Metallic crystal-like inclusion in the Synthetic Diamond A synthetic diamond has been identified by the DCLA, on the heels of the recent discovery of numerous treated diamonds in Australia.
The man-made diamond, a near-colourless 0.54ct round brilliant cut diamond, was submitted to the DCLA Laboratory for authentication by an Australian diamond merchant unconfident of its origin.
With subsequent examination, the diamond was identified by the DCLA as a diamond created by a company in Canada, Advanced Optical Technologies Corporation (AOTC). Identifying features of this diamond include no fluorescence and a light blue hue, as well as a tiny dark grey inclusion with metallic lustre, pictured above at high resolution 50X magnification.
AOTC produces synthetic coloured diamonds (primarily yellows and blues) as well as colourless “white” diamonds using a high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) process. There are several other overseas companies also producing synthetic diamonds on a wide scale using this process, while others use a newer process using chemical vapour deposition (CVD) technology. To date, however, there has been no fully disclosed importer of synthetic diamonds in Australia.
In terms of identification, synthetic diamonds (also known as man-made diamonds, lab- or laboratory-created diamonds, and lab- or laboratory-grown diamonds), have the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as natural diamonds do, making them impossible to identify without advanced testing.
Examination with a microscope may sometimes show indicators, or ‘clues’, that a diamond is synthetic, but these are indicators only; neither presence nor absence of these indicators is conclusive. Both natural diamonds and synthetic diamonds may show very similar characteristics, thus advanced testing is required for conclusive identification.
Some visible clues of synthetic diamonds that valuers should be aware of are those of dark grey or black inclusions with a metallic lustre, as seen in this particular HPHT-created diamond, inert fluorescence under long-wave UV light, cloud inclusions, internal or surface graining, stronger short-wave to long-wave fluorescence, phosphorescence, and colour zoning, among others. Natural diamonds will also show these characteristics however, which is why identification of a diamond’s origin requires an educated and trained gemmologist, skilled in handling the necessary equipment in a qualified laboratory.
Buyers and valuers should also be aware that synthetic diamonds created by synthetic diamond producers like AOTC are laser inscribed on the girdle for identification and disclosure purposes, ie. “AOTC CREATED” and should be accompanied by a synthetic diamond report for full and clear disclosure – however, this inscription can be removed and a diamond should always be verified.
DCLA will not issue diamond grading certificates for synthetic diamonds.
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