Getting to Know the Diamond: The King of Stones

Posted by Sydney Cox on Apr 30, 2022 in Blog Post | 0 comments

The diamond is perhaps the most well-known gemstone—found in the quintessential engagement ring, countless songs (Marylin and Rihanna, anyone?), and in almost every movie, tv-show, and pop culture medium you can think of. It is revered for its color, or lack thereof, but can present in nearly any color you can imagine. What you may not know, however, is that this April birthstone boasts many folkloric and symbolic connections throughout the ancient and modern-day world. When it comes to choosing a piece, all of us at Sorg Jewelers want our clients to feel completely in the loop from start to finish. Join us on this month’s birthstone journey as we uncover and learn about the King of Stones. 

The Stone of Healing

Many ancient civilizations believed that diamonds were the physical embodiment of lightning on earth and that they, in turn, boasted incredible healing powers. Brain diseases and toxins in the blood, among many other ailments, were thought to be curable if the afflicted possessed and wore the coveted stone. It was not until the turn of the Renaissance when Pope Clement VII ingested a medicine based made of powdered diamonds and died, that it was understood eating diamonds would go on to kill more people than it helped.

Diamonds in Ancient Greece and Rome

The Romans and Greeks believed diamonds to be the tears of the gods or pieces of broken shooting stars. The idea of diamonds equating to love dates back to Roman literature which claimed that Cupid’s arrows were tipped with diamonds. This idea is seen in Classical Greek philosopher Plato’s writings too, as he believed diamonds to be living beings that could think and feel.

Creativity and Mental Health

Hildegard of Bingen, the German mystic, went as far as to claim that sucking on diamonds could prevent lying, fear, and anxiety. Legends state that diamonds can induce creativity and imagination in those who wear them. People have claimed the gems can open their minds to impossible ideas and make them possible—such as the manifestation of wealth and abundance.