Description

Solitaire Diamond Rings – Elusive Treasure

Diamonds are rare jewels. They have only been found in a few isolated locations, scattered among the oldest parts of the continents. For thousands of years the only source know to man was on remote area in India, where diamonds were first appreciated for the capacity to disperse light.

New but modest discoveries were made in Borneo in the 7th century and in Brazil in the 18th century. Despite its significant size, the Brazilian finding was so coveted that the ruling Portuguese marked the occasion with great rejoicing. Festivals and processions were staged in Lisbon, special masses said, and messages of congratulations sent by the Pope and European monarchs.

More celebration came in 1866 when, at last, a truly significant source was discovered in South Africa. Strangely, it owned nothing to the art or energy of the world’s eager prospectors. A farmer’s child was playing with some brightly coloured stones found beside a river, one of which was recognized as a diamond. The gem cut from it was appropriately called Eureka and marked the start of a remarkable new chapter in the story of diamonds.