Army rings
Yet, while the literati wield that ubiquitous length of graphite, the diamond is valued by the glitterati! And while the humble pencil is sharpened till it erodes into expendable shaving, the diamond endures forever, sparkling eternally. In fact, the Greek work for diamond, adamas, means unconquerable, testifying to the permanence of the stone.
This is perhaps why the diamond is associated with true and everlasting love. It is also believed to possess an abundance of magical qualities- a veritable love potion set in stone. These connotations in combination rendered it suitable to seal marriage contracts. A marriage contract is supposed to be as much forever as the diamond but it is a sad fact that often only the diamond remains while marital vows are torn asunder with impunity.
While rings have been worn by potential brides though time immemorial, its spherical shape bespeaking eternity, it was about the 15th century that the diamond wormed its way as an adornment on the circular frame of the band. In 1477 Archduke Maximilan of Hamburg slipped a diamond engagement ring on the royal digit of Mary of Burgundy, thus reserving her as his future bride. It was an era when the hoi polloi possibly could not indulge their fancy with this particular variety of carbon, but the ensuing Industrial Revolution with its resultant creation of wealth for the deemed masses of yore soon put an end to this monopoly. Diamonds abounded in the continent, many voyaging there from the newly discovered diamond deposits in distant Africa.
Today, the diamond engagement ring is practically an industry. Diamonds for the rings come in several shapes and sizes, as well as in weight and hue, so there is one to suit every pocket. The discerning buyer of a diamond should pay keen interest to the 4 ?Cs? as these determine the worth of a diamond.
1. Cut -A well-cut diamond reflects several facets and adds brilliance to the stone.
2. Clarity - Very few diamonds are cent percent flawless. Most stones include some areas of sediment that mar their clarity. Often these flaws are not visible to the naked or untrained eye, but the jewelers loupe would readily ferret them into view. The clearer the stone, the greater its worth.
3. Color - A colorless diamond is deemed the most valuable. Certain diamonds, however, come in specific colors like pink or blue, and these too are considered priceless.
4. Carat -This is the measure used for most precious gems and certain metals like gold. The higher the carat, the greater the worth of the diamond.
The Cushion Cut refers to a specific cut of a diamond. As its eponymous name suggests, it is plush upholstered cushion-like in shape basically rectangular or square but with softly rounded edges. It is also referred to as the Pillow Cut or a candlelight diamond because it shone most brilliantly in the glow thrown out by candle flames. This shape was very popular in the past but was replaced by other cuts such as the Emerald Cut or the Princess Cut in the interim between then and now. As is so often the case with fashion, it is in again after its extended period out in the cold, but not quite with a vengeance just yet. This may be because the cushion cut lends itself particularly well to solitaires as it has several more facets than the other cut categories offered by jewelers and a quality solitaire is difficult for the average householder to afford. With so many extra facets to its faade a cushion cut diamond compromises minutely on its brilliance to the naked eye, but packs a pleasing patrician punch nevertheless. The best setting for a good cushion cut diamond is a simple four-clawed bed of gold that displays the stone to its optimum advantage. However, it would also attract by being placed in a cluster of smaller gems that complement its beauty rather than overshadow it.
Engagement rings were traditionally worn on the 4th finger of the left hand because it was presumed that a vein from here ran a direct route to the heart. The Latin name for this vein is Vena Amoris or the Vein of Love. As early as 860 Pope Nicholas I introduced the concept of a gold band signifying the future nuptials of a couple. Whether the Vena Amoris held any significance for an exalted Jesuit of his caliber or not is not known, but it is presumed that he considered it a financial commitment made by the groom to his betrothed and her family. He would be more likely to honor his proposal if he had to pay a price for it!
A cushion cut diamond engagement ring is still rather difficult to find in jewelry stores. It is more unique than ubiquitous. As it is dear, it is usually created on order from loose stones offered by the jeweler. However, the cushion cut being a shape preferred in the past, cushion cut engagement rings are available in antique jewelry stores and sales held by old heritage homes across the world but with a hefty price tag attached. The cushion cut diamond per se is found amply in pendant and earring designs. The latter was a great favorite with monetarily well-endowed matriarchs in India where jewelry collecting is a form elevated to a fine art! Cushion cut solitaires for the earlobes were often matched with a stunning cushion cut solitaire nose ring to create that daunting image of gross, unadulterated wealth.
When choosing a cushion cut diamond engagement ring it is advisable that immense attention is paid to the 4 Cs as outlined above. It is certain to be more expensive than the other cuts on offer and more difficult to find, but it is well worth going the extra mile if one is truly a connoisseur of gems and lover of antiques for it has that classical ageless look. It is associated with a time when passion and permanence converged leading to stronger marriages that formed the basis of stronger families and better-adjusted personal.
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