DIAMONDS

Diamond is the monarch of gems. Its a form of pure carbon and it is the hardest substance known. "Diamond will cut diamond" has become proverbial. The ancients believed diamond to be indestructible. Inspite of its hardness, However, diamond is not exceptionally tough and it can be split along what diamond - cutters call it grain. The diamonds extraordinary brilliance results from its very high refraction; or ability to bend light, and its fire is caused by its high dispersion, or ability to diffuse light in to its rainbow colours.

But only in properly cut stones are diamonds brilliance and fire developed to their maximum. As the diamonds come from mines, they are graded in to two groups, gem and industrial, depending up on their colour, imperfection and shape. Gems are highly prized. Best gem diamonds are flawless, and colourless and slightly blue, pink green or deep yellow. Diamonds cannot be scratched but can be broken. A sharp knock is sometimes the cause of such calamity, quite without the knowledge of the wearer . If the oil shows itself between the spaces of the gems and is slowly blackened, the entire diamond - earring looks uncoth.