Emily Stehr

Interesting History of Diamonds Emily Stehr

Word Origin and History of Diamond: "A pure or nearly pure, extremely hard form of carbon, naturally crystallized in the isometric system. "A piece of this stone. "A transparent, flawless or almost flawless piece of this stone, especially when cut and polished, valued as a precious gem. "A ring or other piece of jewelry containing such a precious stone, especially an engagement ring. "A piece of this stone used in a drill or cutting tool. "A tool provided with such an uncut stone, used for cutting glass. "Crystallized carbon, or a piece of it, artificially produced. "Early 14th century, from Old French diamant, from Medieval Latin diamantem (nominative diamas), from Vulgar Latin *adiamantem (altered by influence of the many Greek words in dia-), from Latin adamantem (nominative adamans) 'the hardest metal', later, 'diamond' (see adamant). Playing card suit is from 1590s; sense in baseball is American English, 1875." http: //www.dictionary.com/browse/diamond Wilson Moore; Henry Merrik Hoare, contributor; A ramble through Holland, France, and Italy; Vol 1; published for the author by T Cadell; 1793 Wilson Moore writes: "My heart began to beat a different alarm - I quickly however burst her diamond necklace - unlaced her jacket - tore the strings of her petticoats asunder - opened her bosom - and laid her gently down upon a truss of hay."