Why A Diamond is Forever

In 1947, a marketing staff for DeBeers coined the phrase  “A Diamond is Forever” and it went on to become the best advertising slogan of the 20th century.  The message it conveyed could not have been as effective if it referred to something less deserving of the title; the phrase flourished and made its mark because everyone knew, nothing could be more true.

The earliest mention of  diamonds in history was between the 3rd and 4th century BC, in a Sanskrit text that related to the diamond trade. The most prized gem in the world, the diamond, came from the Greek word “Adamas” which means indestructible or invincible, and adamantly so. Only another piece of diamond can scratch and cut another diamond.   In fact, it has registered a “10″ on Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness, a quality that made this gemstone a worthy possession indeed. Ancient Chinese even utilized this particular characteristic to cut another prized gemstone, the Jade. But in those days, the Diamond was only available in India, and even then, it was popular both as jewelry as well as a kind of cutting and engraving tool for practical applications.

Diamonds are basically made of carbon compressed under extremely high pressure, about hundreds of kilometers deep into the Earth’s surface, with temperatures not lower than 1,000 Degrees Celcius, and most importantly, it had to be molded for millions of years!  These conditions need to be present to achieve a gem like the Diamond. Otherwise, it would just be another piece of charcoal.

The depletion of India’s diamond resource circa the Middle Ages prompted entrepreneurs and bounty hunters alike to look for alternative deposits; which they found in Brazil (1725) and Kimberley in South Africa (1867). The latter proved to be a goldmine for diamond deposits where the business and geopolitical implications of this gem are very much alive.

Meanwhile, the aesthetic value of the Diamond lies in the absence of any color in its crystal. While other gemstones are valued for the amount and quality of color they possess, the Diamond is measured otherwise.  But still, diamonds can be found in a wide variety of colors and in great range of shades.

To date, the gem’s popularity will always go back to the year 1477 when the Archduke Maximilian of Austria, as a symbol of his engagement, offered Mary of Burgundy a diamond engagement ring. Over the centuries, the gem has symbolized a few more significant events. It is proudly the April birth stone, as well as the perfect gift to celebrate Jubilee and sixty-year anniversaries.

Blue Topaz Ring – December Birthstone

“And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row” (Exodus 28:17).

Most scholars agree that the concept of birthstones had its origins not in the celestial sphere or the zodiac, but in the Breastplate of Aaron or the Hoshen, a ceremonial breastplate worn by the High Priest of the Israelites adorned with twelve gemstones representing the twelve tribes of Israel–and later perhaps, a foreshadowing of the Twelve Apostles.

Because the ancients did not classify gemstones based on their mineral species, various cultures assigned a mystical or symbolic meaning to each gemstone instead. The Hebrews, the Romans, and the Arabs assigned ruby to the month of December, whereas Hindus chose Topaz, and the Russian and Polish chose Turquoise–all of which now serve as alternate gemstones for the month of December.

Topaz Gemstone Facts:

• Pure topaz is actually colorless and translucent but is usually tinted by small impurities. Typically colorless, gray, or pale, topaz is heat treated and irradiated to obtain its blue hue.

• Based on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, topaz has a hardness of 8. The Mohs Scale rates mineral hardness on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being diamond). Precious metals such as gold and silver are rated between 2.5 to 3, platinum is rated between 4 to 4.5, titanium comes in at 6, tungsten at 7.5, and tungsten carbide at 8 to 8.5.

• Blue Topaz is the Texas state gemstone, often cut by the Lone Star design. The Texas Natural Science Center exhibits a 1778 carat blue topaz found in a Brazilian mine (Wikipedia).

There are several varieties of the blue topaz common to the jewelry industry:

• Sky blue topaz — this is the most common blue topaz used in jewelry, referred to simply as blue topaz. This variety is similar in color to aquamarine but without aquamarine’s gray undertone.
• Swiss blue topaz — this variety has a more saturated appearance compared to sky blue topaz and is sometimes referred to as electric blue topaz.
• London blue topaz — this type of topaz has a steely, grayish, and deep blue color. This is the darkest blue topaz variety available in jewelry.

Symbolism and Meaning of the Topaz

There is some confusion regarding the mystical meaning of the topaz gemstone because most mythology surrounding the stone was based on the yellow topaz (alternative November birthstone). Topaz was associated with the sun, due to its fiery color, and like many gemstones, was considered a royal gemstone.

Depending on where you research your information, there are often numerous meanings associated with each gemstone. But with topaz, the consensus seems to declare that topaz is the gemstone of understanding, wisdom, and fulfillment.

Topaz is said to promote clear vision and understanding both of the self and of the world at large, making topaz the stone of both self-realization and worldly wisdom.

Topaz is also said to promote creativity, individuality, and self-expression. Other meanings include the topaz gemstone as a protective stone, a healing stone, and a promoter of truth.

As one of the stones in Hoshen or the Breastplate of Aaron, topaz inherently contains within its abstract and metaphysical properties a spiritual depth unrivaled by many gemstones. Although it is sometimes disputed whether the Biblical text referred to a yellow topaz or chrysolite (another yellow stone), in Jewish writings, the topaz is said to bring blessings of joy and abundance to one’s life.

Apples of Gold Jewelry offers many unique blue topaz rings.