Knowledge of diamond and the origin of its many connations starts in India, where it was first mined. The word most generally used for diamond in Sanskrit is translitereated as vajra, "thunderbolt," and indrayudha, "Indra's weapon." Because Indra is the warrior god from Vedic scriptures, the foundation of Hinduism, the thunderbolt symbol indicates much about the Indian conception of diamond.
Rings date back several millennia, but ones given as tokens of love are first noted by the comic Roman poet Plautus in the 2nd century BCE. Wedding rings are known because of interior inscriptions recording the marriage contracts signed in the presence of the Emperor's image.
The custom was continued and Christianized by the 4th century, demonstrated by St. Augustine's imploring priests to permit weddings without the exchange of rings. Byzantine wedding rings are thick gold bands with round or oval bezels depicting the couple face to face, or receiving Christ's blessing on their union.
Kautiliya states "(a diamond that is) big, heavy, capable of bearing blows, with symmetrical points, capable of scratching (from the inside) a (glass) vessel (filled with water), revolving like a spindle and brilliantly shining is excellent. That (diamond) with points lost, without edges and defective on one side is bad." Indians recognized the qualities of a fine diamond octahedron and valued it.
The powerful Bala exceeded the highest serenity of great souls: in the pride of his courage he replied "Yes" to the gods. firm in his resolve and asking for nothing in the face of the agony that extinguished his life-giving breath, he was tied to a stake by thirteen strings, like an animal; he was bound by his own word.
Rings date back several millennia, but ones given as tokens of love are first noted by the comic Roman poet Plautus in the 2nd century BCE. Wedding rings are known because of interior inscriptions recording the marriage contracts signed in the presence of the Emperor's image.
The custom was continued and Christianized by the 4th century, demonstrated by St. Augustine's imploring priests to permit weddings without the exchange of rings. Byzantine wedding rings are thick gold bands with round or oval bezels depicting the couple face to face, or receiving Christ's blessing on their union.
Kautiliya states "(a diamond that is) big, heavy, capable of bearing blows, with symmetrical points, capable of scratching (from the inside) a (glass) vessel (filled with water), revolving like a spindle and brilliantly shining is excellent. That (diamond) with points lost, without edges and defective on one side is bad." Indians recognized the qualities of a fine diamond octahedron and valued it.
The powerful Bala exceeded the highest serenity of great souls: in the pride of his courage he replied "Yes" to the gods. firm in his resolve and asking for nothing in the face of the agony that extinguished his life-giving breath, he was tied to a stake by thirteen strings, like an animal; he was bound by his own word.
About the Author:
Exquisite citrine rings jewelry awaits you at Eternity Rings Platinum. Shop birthstones today!
