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Even as diamonds were formed billions of years ago, the history of their usage and industrialization is quite ancient too. Archaeological studies have revealed that the usage of diamonds was quite prevalent in the Greek, Roman and Indian cultures. However, it was only with South Africa, that the diamond industry got the much needed impetus. These interesting facts on how the diamond industry grew from an unorganized sector to a highly organized sector.
Image courtesy of Gemisimo Diamond Information
Earliest times
The earliest record of diamond history belongs to 3000 years ago in India, where these stones were first discovered for their property to refract light. These were heralded as highly precious stones and were commonly used in the crowns and rings of monarchs. The term diamond, is said to have emerged from the Greek word ‘adamas', meaning unconquerable. This was also the time, when diamonds were also used popularly as engraving tools. Archaeological evidence in Yemen is indicative that during the 4Th Century BCE itself, diamonds were used as drill tips. The first record of using alluvial diamonds also belongs to India, when river bed diamonds were discovered in 800BC. Many people also wore diamonds in talismans to ward off evil, offer protection during war, counter ill-astrological influences and for attracting others. The powers were even tapped in the medical industry, when during the dark ages records of using the stone to cure illnesses and wounds has been found.
Thirteenth century
This was the time, when the trade of diamonds to Europe increased because of the Venice trading network. However diamonds were mainly worn by monarchs and kings. King Louis IX of France also went on to introduce the law that only kings could wear diamonds. Also, after some time a guild of diamond polishers was established in 1375. Till that time diamond cutting was not practiced due to the Indian taboo on the same. However in this century, diamond cutting practices began earnestly in many parts of the world.
Fourteenth and fifteenth century
Diamond cutting techniques improved and new cuts were introduced during the fourteenth century and over the time to come. Slowly, people other than kings, including rich merchants and aristocrats also began to wear diamonds. The tradition of diamond engagement rings is also said to have begun during this time with Archduke Maximilian of Austria. It is said that in 1477 he presented a diamond engagement ring to Mary of Burgundy. Diamond polishing techniques, dating to the fourteenth century were also noted from India. The earliest record of diamond cutting was noted in Antwerp in 1550. Antwerp was renowned as a highly important diamond center of the period.
Eighteenth century
When the supply of Indian and Brazilian diamonds dwindled, other options were sought and in 1866 diamonds were discovered in South Africa near the Orange River. This discovery made by Erasmus Jacobs, began the world's biggest diamond rush as more diamonds were discovered in fifteen years than India had in 2000 year span. By 1869 diamonds other than alluvial diamonds were discovered in hard rock. As this discovery was first made in the town of Kimberly, the hard ground took the name of Kimberlite. During the 1870s and 1880s, large diamond manufacturers like Rhodes and Barnato entered into strong competition and later merged into forming De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd. Stories from history also reveal the poisonous qualities of diamonds and diamond dust. One example states that attempts to kill Colonel Phayre, British resident in India, were made around the year's 1874 using diamond dust in his usual beverage of lime juice.
Nineteenth century
Besides the nations of India and Africa, other nations were also seeking diamonds in their soil. During the nineteenth century, Australia discovered diamonds for the first time in its Eastern region. However, it was only in the 1970s that the potential of Australia's diamond industry was recognized worldwide. Also, the richest diamond deposits of Orapa pipe in Botswana (currently the second largest in the world) were discovered in 1967 while Argyle, in Argyle Lake, Australia, was discovered in October 1979. Today, this region is the largest volume producer of diamonds. The De Beers consolidated group, slowly grew in size and importance during this century and introduced to the world the criteria of cut, color, clarity and carat in 1939 to determine the quality of diamonds. Diamonds were also utilized during the American World War II for cutting steel and drawing wire for the various weapons, airplanes and ships. By the end of the nineteenth century, retail sales of the global diamond jewelry industry doubled to US $56.1 million in 1995.
Twentieth century and recent times
In the year 2000, the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the International Diamond Manufacturing Association joined hands to establish the World Diamond Council. This body helps to prevent the trading of conflict diamonds. In November 2001, the Oppenheimer Research centre, world's largest and most advanced synthetic diamonds centre was opened in South Africa by De Beers. Today the organization holds a substantial stake in most African mines and controls 67% of diamonds sold in international markets. The Kimberley process certification system (KPCS) was also introduced in the year 2002 to curb the sales of conflict diamonds. In April 2003, the Clean Diamond Trade Act (CDTA) was enacted by the United States which helped to monitor the KPCS. Today diamonds are mined in 25 countries and all continents except Antarctica and Europe. 80% of the world's supply of rough diamonds comes from the nations of Australia, Zaire, Botswana, Angola, South Africa, Russia and Namibia. Over a hundred countries participate in the exporting of rough diamonds.
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