The world of jewellery hides little known facts that we all want to know. Although some date back thousands of years and others are more recent. They are all part of the fascinating history that jewels and precious stones have had in the history of mankind. Objects for which wars have been declared, and for which thousands of people around the world invest large amounts of money to have.
If you are one of them or simply admire jewellery, here are some little-known facts about these objects. Considered by many as the most precious in the world.
Older jewellery pieces are organic
The oldest known pieces of jewellery come from around 100,000 years ago. Perhaps we could think that it is beautiful diamonds or some other precious stone. But one of the little known facts about jewellery is that the oldest pieces of jewellery that have been found are simply a pair of beads made of shell. And it is believed that they possibly had decorative and symbolic purposes.
The first diamond
The first diamond found in the world was found in India in the 4th century. Although at that time precious stones were little known. Due to their enormous brilliance and durability, diamonds quickly became highly valued.
Until the 17th century, people thought that the only source of diamonds in the world was India. But then in 1866, the discovery of a diamond of more than 21 carats in South Africa, would make this country one of the main suppliers of diamonds.
Opals and literature
Opals were one of the most popular stones in Europe and also one of the most valued around the 18th century. But that would change in 1829, thanks to the Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott, who wrote a novel called Anne of Geierstein. In which the fire of an opal, owned by the protagonist, was extinguished when touched with holy water and she died shortly after.
The publication of this book led to a great decline in the popularity of opals by considering them a stone of bad luck. In large part, by the Empress Eugenie of France, who had been so impressed by knowing it that she even spread a rumour throughout Europe that opal was bad luck.
However, Queen Victoria of England would promote its use, production and exploitation, and would end the stigma. But this bad reputation would carry over to the present day, and even today, opals are associated with bad luck and misfortune.
The first engagement ring
Currently in the West we are so used to the use of engagement rings. That it is strange for many to think of the time when this tradition did not yet exist. And it is that, it was not until in 1477 the romantic and in love Maximilian of Austria gave his beloved Maria of Burgundy a ring as a promise of the imminent nuptials. It was if how it became fashionable and today engagement rings represent an important part in the jewellery industry.
The most popular stone for engagement rings
Since the early 20th century, diamonds have grown in popularity to become the most popular gemstone today. So today more than 80% of couples choose a diamond engagement ring, compared to 10% in 1939. While the rest of the combined gemstones only represent around 13% of the total production of engagement rings.
Cultivated pearls
From the beginning of the 20th century, the discovery of the process of cultivating pearls made it possible for its use to become popular. Since it allowed the pearls to be accessible to all. This is how today, almost all pearls that are available on the market are pearls grown by man.
Natural pearls
Pearls are the only gemstone that comes from a living animal. That is, it is an organic gemstone.
Amber is sap
This is a gem made from tree resin that has been fossilized for millions of years, commonly pine. Genuine amber is warm to the touch with a slight pine scent.
Rubies and sapphires
Sapphires come in almost every colour, except for red. Since red sapphires are known as rubies. This is how in every way, except for their name and colour, these two gemstones are almost identical. This is because both these stones are a variation of the same mineral called corundum.
The peridot and the diamond
Of all the precious stones that exist, only two of them do not form from the earth’s crust, they are the diamond and the peridot. But, although they are formed deep in the earth’s mantle, these gemstones are mined from the crust. Being from there where all other precious stones are also extracted. Among the little known facts about jewellery this is one of the most interesting.
Platinum is rare
This metal is extremely rare than the rest of the precious metals that exist in nature (approximately 10 milligrams per ton of earth’s crust). Another little-known fact about jewellery is that it has an annual production that is 15 times less than that of gold and 100 times less than that of silver.
Although it is worth mentioning that platinum is twice as abundant as gold, but its extraction process is much more complex. Because it is almost never in its pure state, but mainly associated with iridium, palladium, rhodium, osmium or ruthenium, and together with other elements such as gold, iron, copper and nickel.
The largest diamond
The largest diamond found so far is known as the Star of Africa or Cullinan I. It was discovered in 1905 in South Africa, it weighs 530 carats and is the largest colourless cut diamond in the world. It was presented to King Edward VII and is still part of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom today.
The most expensive engagement ring
Although diamonds are said to last forever, receiving the world’s most expensive engagement ring does not represent a guarantee that a relationship will last forever. This is demonstrated by an engagement ring, which the millionaire James Packer gave to Mariah Carey in 2016.
It is a jewel with a 35 carat diamond, which cost a staggering 10 million dollars. Which is considered the most expensive engagement ring, although the couple never ended up getting married.
The most recognizable piece of jewellery in the world
Princess Diana’s sapphire engagement ring (now Princess Kate Middleton’s ring) is often mentioned as the most recognizable piece of 20th century jewellery. It is an iconic Ceylon blue sapphire surrounded by a halo of diamonds, of which it is also possible to get a low cost replica.
Creating diamonds
Although natural diamonds have always been highly sought after. One of the little known facts is that in the 1950s, scientists were able to create synthetic diamonds in laboratories. With which an ecological and economic alternative to the demand for diamonds has been provided. So currently, the synthetic diamond market is booming and poses a threat to natural diamonds.
ALFA