Diamond Gemstone Symbolism Facts & Meaning: Zodiac, Superstitions, Dreams, and Legends
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Diamond Gemstone Facts and History
The name Diamond is derived from the Greek word ‘adamas’, which translates to ‘invincible’. This pertains to the hardness, scoring a 10 on the Mohs scale, making it highly resistant to scratching and abrasion, simply describing it as indestructible. Diamond is a form of carbon, with a chemical formula of C, making it the only gemstone composed of a single element. It has a unique crystal structure, with each carbon atom bonded to four neighboring carbon atoms in a tetrahedral arrangement. This results to an extremely strong and rigid lattice structure.
Diamond can be found in a range of colors, including white, yellow, brown, blue, green, pink, and red. The color is determined by the presence of trace impurities or structural defects in the crystal lattice.
Diamonds are thought to have been discovered for the first time in Golconda, India’s Diamond capital. Over time, Indian Diamonds made their way to Western Europe in caravans traveling to Venice’s medieval markets. As a result, Diamonds had become fashionable accessories for Europe’s elite by the 1400s.
Today, Diamonds are mined in a number of countries around the world, including Russia, Canada, Australia, and Botswana. The Diamond industry continues to be a significant source of economic activity and employment in many parts of the world, and Diamonds are still highly valued for their beauty and symbolism.
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Diamond Gemstone Uses
Diamonds were used in two ways according to 3000 year old Indian records: for decoration and as a talisman to ward off evil or provide protection in battle. By the Romans, it was used to carve cameos from stone and was exported to China for cutting jade and drilling pearls. But the most common use of such gemstone is jewelry such as rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and even brooches.
In addition, Diamond is also used in a variety of industrial applications. Since the early 1900s, it has been used to grind and shape very hard metal alloys, and for fine finishes on a variety of surfaces. It is also used in rock drilling bits for exploration and production, circular metal saw discs for cutting roads and building materials, and as machine tools in various industries. Thin Diamond-impregnated saw blades can slice brittle materials for use in electronics, and Diamond powder can be used to sharpen knives at home.
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Diamond Gemstone Spiritual Meaning and Symbolism
Aside from its physical properties, Diamond is also rich in spiritual meaning and symbolism. It is associated with the concept of divine light and said to represent the highest level of consciousness. Diamonds were thought to bestow balance, clarity, strength, and abundance on the wearer. Moreover, it is believed to amplify positive energies such as love, joy, and happiness, while also dispelling negative energies like fear and anxiety.
Diamond is also considered a symbol of strength and courage, giving its wearer the strength and courage to face challenges and overcome obstacles. Diamond is believed to stimulate the third eye and crown chakras, which are associated with spiritual insight and intuition. Furthermore, it is said to help its wearer manifest their goals and desires, and to attract abundance and prosperity into their life.
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Diamond Gemstone Symbolism of Different Shapes and Forms
The Diamond Gemstone has long been associated with symbolism and meaning, with different shapes and forms holding unique significance, frequently in terms of jewelry use. The round brilliant cut Diamond, with its 58 facets, is often seen as a symbol of eternity and the cyclical nature of life. The marquise cut Diamond, on the other hand, is often associated with passion and romance, with its elongated shape resembling a pair of lips. Moreover, the heart-shaped Diamond is a unique and romantic choice, with its distinctive shape symbolizing love and affection. It is a popular choice for engagement rings and is often associated with deep emotional connections.
Different colors of Diamonds are also associated with different meanings such that red Diamonds symbolize courage, pink symbolizes romance, joy, and creativity, and orange Diamonds represent enthusiasm and energy.
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Diamond Gemstone Symbolism in Different Cultures
Diamond Gemstone symbolism varies across different cultures and traditions. In Hinduism, Diamonds are believed to bring success, wealth, and good fortune. In ancient Greek mythology, Diamonds were considered to be tears of the gods or created by lightning bolts, while in medieval Europe, they were thought to possess healing powers and ward off evil spirits.
In Chinese culture, Diamonds represent strength, courage, and determination, and are often used as a symbol of the emperor’s power, along with jade. In African culture, Diamonds are associated with royalty and divine power and were believed to have protective properties.
In modern Western culture, Diamonds are primarily associated with love and commitment, and are a popular choice for engagement rings. However, the Diamond’s historical symbolism across different cultures highlights its significance beyond its contemporary use as a romantic symbol.
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Diamond Gemstone in Combination with other Gems
Diamonds can be combined with a wide range of other gemstones to create stunning and meaningful pieces of jewelry. Most popular combinations are Diamond and ruby that creates a stunning contrast of white and red, signifying passion, purity, and eternal love; Diamonds and sapphires that creates a balance of power and grace, representing both loyalty, purity, and love.
Diamonds are also appropriate to be in combination with emerald to emit balance and harmony, such that emerald symbolizes wisdom and growth, while Diamond represents strength and resilience.
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Diamond Gemstone Birthstone and Zodiac Sign
Diamond is a popular birthstone and traditionally associated with the month of April, topaz and quartz being the alternatives. It is also associated with the zodiac sign of Aries, which falls between March 21 and April 19.
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Diamond Gemstone in Dreams
Diamond Gemstone is believed to have special meaning in dreams, most commonly associated with wealth, power, and love. Seeing Diamonds in a dream may mean that you are about to enter financial wealth and prosperity. If you dream of holding a Diamond, it indicates that you need to go through a period of self-reflection.
Moreover, the dream of finding a Diamond indicates that you will face great temptation, whereas the dream of stealing Diamonds indicates that you will encounter something that will change you. You may encounter betrayal, and this dream warns you that you should prepare for a difficult period in your life.
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Diamond Gemstone Omens and Superstitions
Diamonds have long been regarded as a symbol of love, wealth, and power, and as such, they have been the subject of numerous superstitions and beliefs. One of the most common Diamond superstitions, which persists to this day, is that Diamonds protect the wearer from the Evil Eye. Wearers of Diamond necklaces – especially pendants – are believed to blind the Evil Eye, keeping them from any misfortune, illness, or death.
Another well-known superstition is the custom of wearing a Diamond engagement ring on the fourth finger of the left hand. This is based on an ancient Diamond myth that originated in Ancient Egypt, which claims that there is a vein that ran directly from that finger to the heart.
Furthermore, Diamonds were thought to cure insanity and protect the wearer from being struck by lightning in India. Wearing Diamonds or carrying them on your person was thought to ward off the plague in medieval Europe.
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Diamond Gemstone Mythology and Folklore
Diamonds contain great significance in both Greek and Roman mythology. Numerous Greek myths feature Diamonds, including one in which the god Zeus transforms some children into adamastos, which gave us the words ‘Diamond’ and ‘adamant’, in which terms are then used throughout mythology.
Adamas and his brother Adamant are used throughout myths to strengthen the link between Diamonds and the gods. Cronus castrated Uranus (his father) with an adamant (or Diamond) sickle that Gaia, his mother, gave him. The hero Perseus later uses a similar instrument to decapitate Medusa while she sleeps.
Cupid’s arrows were thought to be Diamond-tipped in Roman mythology, clearly continuing the power that Greeks had placed within these magnificent stones. This led them to believe that these divine gifts were a protective charm that could keep them safe from harm. In fact, they let soldiers wear them on the battlefield all the time to help them survive from one campaign to the next.
Diamond is a valuable gemstone not just in its extraordinary beauty and durability, but also by its symbolic meanings that has strengthened its historic and cultural value.
