Diamonds
Standing alone with a Mohs hardness of 10, diamonds have been carried into battle on armour and donned the surface of space-travelling vessels to lend their legendary strength.
Ancient Romans believed that diamonds were the tears of the gods, or pieces of fallen stars, but the most prevalent belief, which persists to this day, is that a diamond can blind the Evil Eye. Wearing a diamond around one’s neck is believed to ward off this ancient Greek malicious force, which is said to be an invisible and unpredictable power able to curse an unsuspecting victim with misfortune, illness and even death.
In more recent times, the durability and everlasting sparkle of a diamond has become a metaphor for undying love, making it the perfect gift to symbolise the promise of marriage. This culture of a diamond meaning ‘forever’, coupled with the Roman legend of the Vena Amoris—a vein believed to run directly from the left ring finger to one’s heart—is how the tradition of wearing engagement rings on the left hand was born.
Pearls
Pearls, being among the rare organic gemstones produced by a living animal, have fascinated and decorated us for thousands of years. The oldest pearl jewellery on record was discovered in the sarcophagus of a Persian Princess who died in 520BC.
Ranging from white and ivory to gold, purple, and even black, natural pearls derive their colour from the inner elements of their birth shell.
Legend has it—as recorded by Pliny the Elder—that Cleopatra won a bet with Marc Antony by crushing a priceless giant pearl earring into a glass of strong vinegar until it dissolved, before drinking it to demonstrate her wealth.
Rubies
Being the red incarnation of a multi-coloured mineral called corundum, rubies are related to all shades of sapphire, but due to their fiery red lustre, they demand the highest price.
Ruby, deriving its name from the Latin word ‘rubeus,’ meaning ‘red, was also known in ancient Sanskrit as “ratnaraj”, which roughly translates to “king of the gems.”
Believed to possess powers of virility and passion, warriors over many centuries have been known to carry rubies into battle as an enhancement of their courage and strength, as this was believed to ensure a victory. More recently, rubies gained pop-culture fame in the 1939 film adaptation of ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ where Dorothy’s magical silver shoes from L. Frank Baum’s original book were changed to vibrant ruby slippers to showcase Technicolour technology.
For a real-life glimpse of timeless beauty, or to own your precious gem fit for legend, contact the sales team at Mark Solomon Jewellers today. Our showroom boasts the largest selection of loose diamonds and precious gems under one roof in South Africa, as well as an extensive range of high-end, designer jewellery perfect for any occasion.
