Diamonds have always carried a particular sort of symbolism throughout history. Today, it's mostly noted for its significance in romance - with a diamond ring being the main ring a guy ever buys, and gives to the woman he loves.
But long before that, diamonds had a very different type of symbolism and meaning. For millennia, the traits of diamonds that have made them so valuable and thus treasured have been interpreted by different cultures diversely, and their strength, hardness, brilliance and sweetness have signified various meanings.
Sometime ago, the Greeks held the point that diamonds were the tears of the gods because of its physical properties that seemed to be out of this world. The Romans believed roughly the same, only rather than being the tears in 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, as it was declared that if they were their powers would dissipate.
In Tibetan Buddhism, diamonds also play a huge role and in fact Tibetan Buddhism is actually called Vajrayana which loosely means the Diamond Vehicle, and something of their most important texts is recognized as the Diamond Sutra.
Since those medieval times, several other myths and legends have sprung forth around diamonds too. In the centre Ages, it had been thought that diamonds could tell whether an individual was innocent or guilty, which a diamond would darken in the presence of guilt, and shine bright in the presence of innocence.
This remarkable stone has additionally always been said to bring luck and fortune to anyone who wears it, and in some cases warriors and Kings dons it into battle, believing who's would bring them victory over their enemies.
As you can tell, the symbolism and meaning behind diamonds has varied throughout history.
Its modern meaning of romance and relationship only began in 1477 if the Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a hoop to Mary of Burgundy for their engagement. Although ahead of that there have been cases of betrothal gifts that entail diamond jewelry such as tiaras, brooches, and necklaces - that's the first case of a diamond ring being given upon an engagement.
Needless to say - the remainder is history.
Today, the need for loose diamonds in romance and engagement will be the predominant symbolism across the world. It has a special meaning, and contains potent emotional significance, but that does not mean that it couldn't one day symbolize something quite different again.
Who knows exactly what the future holds for that symbolism and concept of diamonds.
