Symbolism of Diamonds

It is said the Greeks believed diamonds were tears of the gods; the Romans believed  diamonds were splinters of fallen stars.  Cultures long gone have sought the divine or the mystical in diamond, maybe this explains its specialties.

Maybe the earliest symbolic use of diamonds was as the eyes of Hindu devotional statues.  The diamonds themselves were thought to be endowments from the gods and were therefore cherished.  The point diamonds assumed their divine status is not known, but early texts indicate they were recognized in India since at least 400 BC.

In Western culture, diamonds are the traditional emblem of fearlessness and virtue.  Although rarely seen in jewellery prior to the Baroque period, early examples of betrothal jewels incorporating diamond include the Bridal Crown of Blanche (ca. 1370-1380) and the Heftlein brooch of Vienna (ca.1430-1440), a pictorial piece indicating a wedding couple.

To day diamonds are used to symbolize eternity and love, often seen adorning engagement rings.  This modern tradition can be directly traced to the marketing campaigns of De Beers, starting in 1938.