A highly refractive crystalline form of carbon that is second to none in its hardness. The name diamond is derived from the Greek word "adamas" or "invincible". Found on all continents (except Antarctica), natural diamond crystallizes at approx. 110 miles into the Earth's upper mantle at temperatures ranging from 900 - 1200 degrees Celsius. It is then eventually transported to the surface of the earth by specific types of volcanic eruptions. Diamonds come in all the colors of the rainbow, although we consider the most valuable to be colorless.
Diamonds were associated with divinity and good luck to those who carried them. Ownership of this gem in the past was very restricted and only kings could own all colors! The ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were the tears of gods and the Romans afterward thought that diamonds were the splinters of stars.
The birthstone of April, western culture now associates diamonds with wealth, power, eternity and love.
