| What is it about diamond rings that so compel | | | | forces of heat and pressure that transforms |
| us? Is it the shine and lustre - that which | | | | organic carbon into gems that wind up as part |
| jewelers refer to as "fire"? Is it the | | | | of mens diamond rings are thousands of times |
| mystery and allure that you'll find in a | | | | greater. In fact, it is possible to turn coal |
| white gold diamond ring? Or is it just good | | | | into diamond, which is essentially what |
| marketing? | | | | happens when artificial, industrial-grade |
| | | | diamonds are manufactured in a laboratory. |
| When it comes to the precious stone that is | | | | (Theoretically, it is also possible for |
| the centerpiece of diamond engagement rings | | | | diamonds to turn back into coal, were they |
| and men's diamond rings, it is all of the | | | | subjected to hard vacuum under a complex set |
| above. Although diamonds have long been | | | | of highly unlikely circumstances.) |
| treasured for their hardness and rarity, they | | | | |
| were not always beautiful to look at. It took | | | | Early Diamond Rings |
| centuries of trial and error before jewelers | | | | |
| learned to create the exotic cuts such as the | | | | Diamond jewelry had been around for awhile, |
| princess diamond ring. | | | | but diamond engagement rings and wedding |
| | | | rings were pretty well unheard of before |
| A Diamond...or a Lump of Coal? | | | | 1477, when Archduke Maximilian I of Austria |
| | | | presented one to Marie of Burgundy on the |
| The story of diamond rings starts hundreds of | | | | occasion of their wedding. |
| millions of years ago and miles beneath the | | | | |
| earth's surface. You are probably aware of | | | | Diamond rings became popular during the |
| the fact that petroleum and coal is formed | | | | Victorian Period, although the custom of |
| from the remains of plants and animals that | | | | presenting diamond engagement rings and the |
| lived and died over half a billion years ago. | | | | concept of mens diamond rings came along much |
| These remains went under the earth over time, | | | | later. |
| where they were subjected to preternatural | | | | |
| geologic forces, which transformed them from | | | | Today, the tradition is found almost |
| organic matter into oil and coal. | | | | everywhere in the Western world as well as |
| | | | Japan and India (where the bride usually |
| The precious stones that are set in diamond | | | | wears a diamond toe ring). Diamond rings can |
| engagement rings are formed the same way. The | | | | be purchased as is, or can be created |
| difference between a lump of coal and a | | | | especially for the customer. |
| diamond is one of degree - the geologic | | | | |