Emerald-cut 9.59ct orange tourmaline Ring

Diamonds have a long and storied history. They were first discovered in India, where they were prized for their beauty and used as decorative items and religious icons. The diamonds were eventually traded to other parts of the world, and by the Middle Ages, they had become popular in Europe as well.

Diamonds are a pure form of carbon and are known for their extreme hardness and ability to reflect light. Throughout history, diamonds have been revered for their beauty and have held significant meaning in various cultures. In Tibetan culture, diamonds were believed to lead people on the path to truth. Hindus believed that diamonds captured the light of the sun, while ancient Greeks saw them as tears of the gods and Romans saw them as fragments of stars.

Diamonds have often been associated with bravery, good luck, and good health, and are thought to represent protection, purity, and immortality. They are also often given as gifts to express the depth of one's emotions.

Diamonds are evaluated for their quality based on several factors known as the "Four Cs":

• Cut: This refers to the diamond's proportions, symmetry, and polish. A well-cut diamond will reflect light beautifully, while a poorly cut diamond will appear dull. The cut is graded on a scale from Excellent to Poor.
• Color: Diamonds range in color from completely colorless (the most valuable) to slightly yellow or brown. Color is graded on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown).
• Clarity: This refers to the presence of inclusions within the diamond and blemishes which are external flaws. The fewer and smaller the inclusions and blemishes, the higher the clarity. Clarity is graded on a scale from Flawless (no inclusions visible under 10x magnification) to Included (significant inclusions visible without magnification).
• Carat: This refers to the diamond's weight. One carat is equal to 0.2 grams. The higher the carat weight, the more valuable the diamond is. However, two diamonds of the same carat weight can have very different values depending on the other three Cs.

In addition to these Four Cs, diamonds may also be evaluated based on other factors such as fluorescence (a glowing effect visible under UV light) and the diamond's shape (round, princess, pear, etc.).

It's important to keep in mind that the Four Cs are only one factor in determining a diamond's quality and value. The rarity and demand for a particular type of diamond can also impact its price.