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The first undoubted reference to diamonds occurs in Roman Literature of the 1st Century AD, and these diamonds undoubtedly came from India. It was the only known source of diamonds until the 18th century. Diamonds were however only discovered in South Africa in 1866 by Erasmus Jacobs and a shepherd named “Klonkie” in the Hopetown district. This stone found was known as the “O’Reilly” or the “Eureka” and weighed 12,35 carat (uncut), and was later cut to a 10,73-carat oval brilliant cut stone Diamond, which is traditionally the emblem of fearlessness, derives its name from the Greek word “Adamas” meaning the unconquerable. It is so named due to its hardness of 10 on Moh’s scale. There is nothing remotely comparable to its hardness, as its cutting resistance is 140 times greater than that of Ruby and Sapphire, the second hardest gem known to man. With this in mind, it is the perfect stone for engagement rings and body adornment and although it can fracture and break, it is one of the most durable stones around. As for the tradition of the Diamond Engagement ring, the earliest record of a man giving a large diamond to a woman for her hand in marriage was in 1477. The Archduke of Austria gave one to Mary of Burgandy and started the 500 years of romance and tradition of giving a large solitaire diamond ring to the woman you wish to betroth. Sometimes it is better to disregard all the technical aspects of the stone, and to rather find one that enhances the wearer and that the wearer finds aesthetically pleasing. As they say…” A Diamond is forever”. Well, almost! Thus it can be bought and passed on from generation to generation and accumulate sentimental value and folklore. Michel is a member of the prestigious Diamond Dealers Club of South Africa.