Interesting Jewellery Facts

Many famous diamonds have been set in jewellery and given their names from people who have found them or have been associated with them. The famous Cullinan diamond is the largest diamond ever discovered. It was cut into 9 large gems and about 100 smaller ones, all flawless. They form part of the British crown jewels.

Earrings were once worn to guard the ears from negativity and disease. In some parts of history earrings were not used as jewellery but became a symbol of slavery as slaves wore earrings to mark their status.

Jewellery has played an important role in world history. In the late 1840's gold was discovered in California, USA, which resulted in a mass migration of 250,000 people into the area. The mining camps grew into permanent towns, establishing a whole new area and economy.

Diamonds were said to have been found by a farm hand in southern Africa in the mid-1860s on the de Beer farm. British Pioneer, Cecil John Rhodes bought a claim to the de Beer's diamond mine in 1871. This was to be the start of today's Central Selling Organisation, which now controls nearly 80% of the world diamond trade.

The ring is symbolic of unity and eternity and it was considered an object of protection, magical guard or something that warded off negativity through its continuity. Rings are still symbols of marriages and other unions due to them representing eternity. All rings were once magical or sacred.