History of Diamonds - Page 2
For centuries diamonds were most valuable in their natural octahedral state for two reasons. One was the established taboo, according to the traditions of India, against cutting diamonds into gem shapes. The other was the difficulty involved in cutting diamonds, as development of diamond cutting technology had been delayed by the restrictions imposed through Indian tradition. However, during the late Middle Ages the history of diamonds took a major turn. Venice’s trade network increased the flow of diamonds into Europe, and the taboo against diamond cutting was lifted, therefore allowing the emergence of diamond cutting and polishing specialists who established the forms we know today.
The table cut was the first diamond cut put into widespread use, followed by the briolette around 1476. The mid-sixteenth century saw the development of the rose cut; the first brilliant cut diamond design, the Mazarin, came about in the mid-seventeenth century. Innovation slowed until 1919, when Marcel Tolkowsky set the standard for the comparison of modern gems with the perfection of an ideal round brilliant cut design—the flat-topped, pointed-end gem we are most familiar with today.
During the middle ages when the first diamond cuts were being developed, the focus on these gems began to shift from the stones’ purported mystical powers to their value and worth. Popularity of the gems surged during this time in the history of diamonds, and dollar signs quickly replaced thoughts of lucky properties. Mine owners circulated the myth that diamonds were poisonous to discourage workers from swallowing them in attempts to smuggle the gems out of the mines. The discovery of several large and famous stones in India during this time also contributed to the popularity of diamonds. Two of these stones were the Blue Hope and the Koh-I-Noor.
