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Exotic Diamonds
Most diamond rings were produced and sold in Europe until relatively recently – only Europe had the desire for gold engagement rings and wedding rings because it was in Europe that the tradition arose and became all-pervasive. Now, the United States of America is the greatest consumer of diamonds followed by Hong Kong, but upwards of 80% of the world’s high-grade diamonds are still cut in Europe.
In the 18th and 19th Centuries the world was growing smaller. Trade was expanding rapidly as technological and scientific advances allowed for the building of faster ships and improved charts and navigational capacities. Society was undergoing a period of upheaval, too. The emerging middle classes were beginning to make themselves felt towards the latter part of the century, and of course, the French Revolution sent shockwaves throughout the world.
Napoleon marched across Europe, and books were becoming cheaper and available to a massively greater audience. The previously unknown civilisations of Egypt, Africa, Japan, and China were being revealed to British eyes for the first time. With the new knowledge came new trade goods, and items that hadn’t been seen in Europe since the fall of the Roman Empire flowed back into the country.
Diamonds came too. Indeed, the very fact that the stones set in the best diamond rings and jewellery came from such distant and exotic locations as Africa and India was a significant part of their appeal. The very largest and finest diamonds all came with their own individual tales of adventure and excitement set in places most Europeans could only ever dream of seeing.
Related posts:
- The Fascinating Trade in Diamonds
Trading in diamonds has always been a fascinating business, dating back centuries to the 4th century BC, to the mines and trade in India. Originally, diamonds were traded along the overland Silk and Spice Routes from India and the Far East to Venice; where they were cut and then sold...
- The Diamond Trade
It seems odd to mix love and trade, but it is important to understand how beautiful diamond engagement rings find their way onto lovely fingers. All the careful thought that is given to the choice of engagement rings deserves to be reassured that the manufacture and business is honest and...
- Referencing Diamonds
Diamonds and their qualities are frequently used as references in literature. For example, practically anything can “sparkle like diamonds”. Hearts can be “diamond-hard” although it is not uncommon for some people to have “hearts of gold.” The oldest dated printed book from 868 AD is the Diamond Sutra, currently displayed...
- Know Your Diamonds
Choosing diamond rings is a serious business and is made a lot easier if you already know something about the basic criteria. Diamonds are graded by colour, cut, clarity and carat; commonly known, and easily remembered, as the 4Cs. All the diamonds that we at Marlows sell are issued with...
- Where Do Diamonds Come From?
Have you ever wondered how diamonds are formed? Unlike the sparkling and beautiful gems that you find in the finished product of diamond engagement rings or wedding rings, diamonds are formed through a hot and dirty process. If you want to understand and appreciate the true value of these jewels,...
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