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Space Stones

Space Stones

Space Stones are Gemstones that originate from the depths of space. They can get to earth by the way of Meteorites.

Most recently, scientists from around the world came together and done something extraordinary. With a team of 200 scientists from eight different observatories around the world they have combined their telescopes into one huge telescope to take a picture of a black hole for the very first time. The picture is made up of data collected and analysed for 2 years! The result, a wondrous red, orange, yellow, white ring of colour, simply beautiful. 

This really got me thinking about how our gemstones originate from minerals on earth but are there any that don’t? The answer, yes. There are some that fall to earth in the way of Meteorites.  

Peridot

Peridot is one of the very first treasured gemstones and is called a sun gem by the Egyptians. The Egyptians found the first deposit on a Red Sea Island. It was only half a century ago that a huge meteorite was found in Argentina containing a great number of the sought after peridot crystals. Not all Peridot is from space though, it can also be found through volcanic activity here on earth where it’s often found in Lava. 

Black Diamonds

Yep thats right, black diamonds come from space! Scientists have confirmed with infrared instruments that they are formed because of a supernova exploding. Conventional Diamonds are formed hundreds of miles below the surface of the earth under immense heat and pressure. Conditions turn carbon into diamonds that many of us wear today. 

Black diamonds are only found in certain parts of the world including Africa and Brazil and are thought to have travelled to Earth with meteorites and distributed during the billions of years since they came over specific areas.

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History Of Diamonds

 History Of Diamonds

 

 

 

 

 

They form deep in the earth under extreme heat and pressure. Made solely of Carbon, Most Diamonds were formed at depths of 93 to 155 miles in the earths mantle and most natural diamonds have ages of between 1 billion and 3.5 billion years old.

It all started in India, where diamonds were gathered from the rivers and the streams. Diamonds have been known in India for at least 3000 years but most likely 6000! Many historians estimate that India was trading with Diamonds from as early as the forth century BC! 

As time went on, India’s diamonds found there way to Western Europe and by the 1400s Diamonds were becoming fashionable amongst Europe’s most wealthiest.

By the 1700s Indias Diamonds supplies had begun to dwindle. Brazil had suddenly emerged as an important source for diamonds. They were first discovered in the pans of gold miners as they sifted through the gravel of local rivers. When brazil reached its full potential, they dominated the diamond market for more than 150 years.  

So Why do we wear Diamond engagement rings as Apposed to other Gemstones?

While Engagement rings have been around for centuries, the use of diamonds hasn’t really been around that long. This is simply because there weren’t all that many diamonds readily available on the world market, so diamond engagement rings were pretty rare even up until the late 19th Century. An early exception was Archduke Maximilian of Austria whom proposed to Mary of Burgundy in 1477 with a Diamond Engagement ring. 

So if diamonds weren’t used, what was? 

 

Well during the 16th and 17th century A Gimmal ring was often used as an engagement ring. A Gimmal ring is a ring with two or three links that fit together to form one complete ring, a bit like a puzzle. They were also known as joint rings in Elizabethan England.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, such rings were fashionable in England, Germany, and some other countries. The engaged couple would wear one link each and rejoin them to use as a wedding ring. With triple link rings, a third person could witness the couple’s vows and hold the third part of the ring until the marriage. 

Ancient Times

Although ancient Egyptians are often credited for inventing the engagement ring and Ancient greeks with having adopted the tradition, the actual history of the engagement ring can only really be reliably traced back to Ancient Rome. In the second century, the Roman bride-to-be was given two rings, a gold one which she wore in public, and one made of iron which she wore at home while attending to household duties.

Victorian Era

During the victorian era diamonds were found in 1866 in South Africa. By 1872 the diamond mines were producing more than a Million carats every year! As a result, those of lesser means were now able to afford diamonds and production was increased.

De Beers And Marketing. 

The popularity of the diamond engagement ring really declined after the first world war and even more so in The United States during the great depression. In the 1930s the price of diamonds collapsed and the diamond industry was in a very bad way. In 1938 De Beers alone started a marketing campaign that would change the way we see engagement rings today. After the initial market researching phase, advertising started in 1939. The very first stage of the campaign was educating people on the 4 Cs, Cut, Clarity, Colour and carat. This new information on the Gemstone gave interest and people started to respond. 

More information on the 4 Cs can be found on my Diamond Guide.

Hollywoods biggest stars and Celebrity’s were wearing diamonds. This encouraged leading fashion designers to take note and diamond rings became a new trend.  

By 1947 the slogan “A Diamond Is Forever” was introduced. This slogan alone helped underscore the diamond’s significance as an enduring, unbreakable symbol of love and is still used to this day. 

Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau Tiara

Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau Tiara

So as Prince Harry and Megan Markle Recently Married I thought I would give a little insight into The Tiara she wore on her big day! Queen Mary’s Diamond Bandeau Tiara. 

 

 

The Diamond Tiara hasn’t been seen since 1965 when Princess Margaret wore it last.

The Tiara was made in 1932. This English Tiara Features Diamonds set in Platinum and a Centre detachable brooch made of ten diamonds dating back to 1893.

The tiara is “formed as a flexible band of eleven sections, pierced with interlaced ovals and pavé set with large and small brilliant cut diamonds.”

The Diamond Brooch in the centre of this Tiara was a present to Princess Mary in 1893 by the County of Lincoln on her marriage to Prince George, Duke of York, who would become King George V. The Tiara was then made in 1932 to have the brooch mounted in the centre, The bandeau and the brooch were passed down by Queen Mary to The Queen in 1953.

Kensington Palace hasn’t associated a particular jewellery house or jeweller with the tiara,  however it is thought to be by Garrard, which was the Crown Jeweller in the 1930’s. Garrard was established in 1735 and founded by George Wickes in London. Garrard was The Crown Jeweller for 164 years! Starting in 1843 and ending in 2007. G. Collins and Sons are the current Royal Jewellers ending a 164 year reign by Garrard. 

Garrard has dealt with many famous Jewels, such as the Cullinan I, “The Great Star Of Africa”. They have also created some amazing pieces like the Imperial Crown Of India in 1911 and The Crown Of Queen Elizabeth in 1937.

Although Garrard no longer holds the Royal Warrant as the Official British Royal Jeweller and G Collins and Sons were appointed by the Queen, Garrard still holds a royal warrant from her son the Prince Of Wales to this day. 

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