Friday Trivia -- diamonds

Diamonds-- a girl's best friend that are forever.

Raw Diamonds

They are also April's birthstone--befitting that we offer a few trivia tidbits about the stone.

The word, "diamond" has its roots in Greek and Aryan. "Adamas” means unconquerable or invincible in Greek. "Dam” in Aryan, means to tame or subdue (which is also the where the word ”madam” comes from).

India is said to be the site of the original diamond mines which started in the 9th century. Later in the mid-1700's, diamonds were discovered in Brazil. Lastly, came diamonds discovered in Africa in the late 1800's,  where the majority of diamonds are mined today.

Beautiful Cut Diamonds

During the middle ages in Europe, it was believed that diamonds set in gold and worn on the left side possessed powers to drive away nightmares, ward off devils, and even soothe wild beasts. 

And, of course, we have to add a trivia bit about diamond engagement rings:  The first recorded diamond engagement ring was given in 1477 when Archduke Maximilian of Austria proposed marriage to Mary of Burgundy.