The Fall And Rise In Desire For Diamond Rings

Diamond rings are more than just a piece of jewellery; they signify something special and are a symbol synonymous with love and luxurious living. As a token of amorous feelings and as a gift to seal the acceptance of a marriage proposal, the diamond engagement ring has been a favoured choice since the mid fifteenth century. One can only speculate as to why the diamond should hold favour above all other precious stones as an eternal gesture of devotion, but it's essence has been captured and coined by advertising agencies, diamond suppliers and devotees worldwide.

Initially, it was the rarity of the stone that gave a diamond its elusive and desirable status. Owning jewellery that contained a flawless and sizeable stone was not only a statement of social standing and stature; it was also an indicator of wealth. However, during the 19th century there was a huge influx of diamonds on to the open market, and as the value of the stone dropped, so did the associated opulence.

Diamond rings went from being a present paid for through the trials and tribulations associated with hard work, to an item of jewellery that had little more value than jewellery that contained a semi precious stone. Now that the value of such rings and other items of jewellery were lessened, and new jewellery was available to buy relatively cheaply, the number of pieces of diamond jewellery available second hand rose. This started what would seem like an irreversible cycle of events that devalued the diamond even further.

Luckily, it was through a well phrased advertising campaign that the desire for diamonds was renewed. De Beers, one of the major diamond suppliers in the world added sentimental value to diamond jewellery by implying that 'a diamond is forever'. This tag line was a timely interjection in the potential demise of the diamond. For those that were swayed by the campaign, they were prompted to remember the earlier significance of diamond jewellery, and in particular the symbolism behind the gesture of giving a diamond ring as an engagement ring.

It is implied than in this act, a loved one is declaring an undying love for all eternity, and being backed by De Beers was a massive boost to the whole industry. Suddenly the bottom dropped out of the second hand market for rings with sparklers and people were prompted to hold on to them as heirlooms to pass on to the next generation, and before long, the status of owning a diamond was resumed, despite the new found mines and subsequent abundance of diamonds.

Today, the precious stone is being extensively mined and synthesised and is being used for industry as well as decoration. As the grading technology advances, it has become easier to grade a good diamond, and the prevalence of top quality diamond rings has once again become relatively rare. Although compared to a few hundred years ago, the diamond is a not so precious stone, the prestigious association between the gem and status has been renewed. This has bought a new lease of life, not only to the diamond ring, but also to everlasting love.

Article Source: http://articlewagon.com

Dominic Donaldson is an expert in the diamond industry. Find out more about Diamond rings and other items of diamond jewellery at Diamond Manufacturers.

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