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Diamonds are a girl's best friend
Diamonds are beautiful, mysterious and rare. Their qualities are as fresh and precious today as the moment they were formed billions of years ago. They have survived a fantastic journey to reach us, transcending the forces of nature, and of time itself.
From the earliest civilisations, diamonds have been prized possessions. Their rarity and the immense skill required to release their extraordinary brilliance makes them unlike any other jewel. Diamonds are worn by people as potent symbols; of fashion, love, devotion, pride, wealth and power.
To this day, the De Beers advertising campaign of 'a diamond is forever' which was first seen in the 1900s is acknowledged as one of the most successful advertising campaigns in history.
The romantic tradition of giving a diamond ring as a token of love and commitment began in the 15th century when Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring on their engagement.
In England, diamond rings were often referred to as 'scribbling rings' because lovers used them to engrave romantic messages on window panes. This whimsical form of flirtation was enjoyed by many of the nobility, including Elizabeth I who allegedly exchanged cryptic words with her admirer, Sir Walter Raleigh.
Perhaps the most publicised romantic diamond gifts in modern times have been the jewels given by Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor. These include a 33 carat diamond worth over £7million and the pear-shaped 69 carat Taylor-Burton diamond.
However, the potent symbol of diamonds goes beyond romance. For centuries they have been used to celebrate other joyous occasions; the birth of a child, birthdays and the achievements of personal goals.
In the 19th century, Napoleon gave his wife Marie Louise an exquisite diamond necklace on the birth of their son. More recently, producer and director Bruce Paltrow demonstrated his pride in daughter Gwyneth when, after winning the Best Actress award at the 1999 Oscars, he bought her the stunning 40 carat diamond necklace that she had borrowed to wear to the ceremony.
