Diamonds may be forever—but they’ve never been boring.
Long before they became engagement staples or red carpet regulars, diamonds were at the centre of royal scandals, wild superstitions, and more than a few power plays. From ancient myths to modern icons, diamond jewellery has always carried a little mystery, a lot of meaning, and plenty of drama.
Let’s take a glittering stroll through the history of diamond jewellery—where myth meets monarchy, and sparkle has always come with a side of intrigue.
From Stars, Magic, and Riverbeds: The Ancient Origins
In ancient times, diamonds weren’t just admired—they were feared, worshipped, and believed to be practically magical. The Greeks, with their romanticism, thought diamonds were either tears of the gods or shattered starlight.
India was the world’s first diamond hotspot. As early as the 4th century BC, diamonds were collected from riverbeds and reserved exclusively for the elite. Sparkling gems were worn not for fashion, but for power—these were symbols of strength, protection, and divine favour.
By the Middle Ages, diamonds had made their way to Europe via trade routes and into the hands of nobles who believed they could ward off illness, misfortune, and even evil spirits. Some took this belief a bit too literally: crushed diamonds were consumed as medicine. As expected, they didn't work - though they may have led to more funerals than cures.
A Cut Above: The First Sparkles
Before diamonds dazzled in their current form, they were worn uncut. People believed that shaping them would ruin their power. But once someone took a chisel to a gem? The sparkle was unstoppable.
- Point cuts (1300s): Polished versions of a diamond’s natural form—basic, but with presence.
- Table cuts (1400s): The first real flash of brilliance, with a flat top that caught the light.
- Rose cuts (1500s): Romantic and soft, these dome-shaped diamonds looked like blooming flowers.
- Old mine cuts (1700s–1800s): Chunky, charming, and perfect for candlelight glamour.
With every new cut, diamonds went from talisman to treasure - from powerful symbols to polished art.
First Engagement Ring (And It Was Not About Love)
The first diamond engagement ring wasn’t the result of a grand romantic gesture—it was a political power move.
In 1477, Archduke Maximilian of Austria proposed to Mary of Burgundy with a diamond ring—not to win her heart, but to secure her land and outshine rival suitors. Still, this strategic sparkle set the trend for centuries to come.
Royal Mistresses & The Original Diamond Influencers
Long before influencers curated flat lays, European royals were using diamonds to express power—and affection. Kings gave lavish diamond gifts not just to queens, but to their mistresses (often more than one). These glittering tokens said, in short: “You're important. Also, please don’t cause a scandal.”
These women, often overlooked in the history books, became true trendsetter - decked out in custom-cut diamonds, setting fashion standards across Europe.
The Hope Diamond: Gorgeous, Glamorous, Possibly Cursed
Of course, we can’t talk about historical diamonds without a little cursed glamour.
The Hope Diamond, a stunning 45-carat deep blue gem, has passed through the hands of kings, bankers, heiresses, and thieves—and left behind a glittering trail of broken fortunes, betrayal, and beheadings.
Is it truly cursed? Who knows. But I’d still wear it.
Photo: The Hope Diamond, a legendary gem weighing around 45 carats, famed for its deep blue hue and storied past. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington DC.
From Empires to Everyday Glam
In the 1800s and beyond, diamond discoveries in Brazil, South Africa, Australia, and Canada turned diamonds from royal exclusives into global sensations. By the 20th century, diamonds had gone mainstream—well, luxury mainstream.
In the 1940s, De Beers introduced the iconic “A Diamond is Forever” campaign, transforming the diamond ring into a symbol of eternal love and elevating every proposal to a moment of marketing brilliance.
And who could forget Elizabeth Taylor - queen of diamonds, marriages (eight!), and one-liners. Her Taylor -Burton diamond, all 69 carats of it, was worn like custom jewellery. Her motto? "Big girls need big diamonds". Indeed.
Photo: Elizabeth Taylor's emerald and diamond earrings - a gift from Richard Burton - feature vivid Colombian emeralds and brilliant diamonds.
Today’s Sparkle, Tomorrow’s Story
From ancient riverbeds to royal courts and modern runways, diamond jewellery has always carried more than shine. It holds stories—of power, love, rebellion, and reinvention.
Most natural diamonds are incredibly ancient—formed between 1 to 3 billion years ago, deep beneath the Earth’s surface. That means many diamonds are older than some continents and even older than life itself as we know it.
So when you wear a diamond, you're literally wearing a piece of Earth’s earliest history—and adding your own chapter to it.
Because while trends come and go, diamonds remain delightfully, dramatically timeless.
Looking to claim your place in sparkle history?
Explore our curated collection of diamond jewellery—crafted for modern icons, future heirlooms, and unforgettable moments.
Because diamonds may be forever—but your story is just beginning.
