FIRST PERSON with KAAREN HARPER
allure of choice
What is it about diamonds - they are, after all, just rocks. But these rocks have been coveted for centuries long before modern market- ing. Since about 2500BC these precious stones have been at the heart of legends and myths across the world, associated with the vir- tues of strength, wealth, power and, of course, love. The Path of Nature The first diamond discovery is believed to have occurred in India around 2500 BC. Initially, diamonds were not valued for their bril- liance, instead valued for their near indestructibility and were used in tools. But it didn’t take long before they were being mounted in statues and in jewelry. India was the only source of diamonds for centuries - yielding some world famous stones including the The Great Mogul, the Koh-i-Noor, and of course the Hope diamond. The prized jewels found their way to the Roman Empire and China starting about 322BC. In ancient India it was believed that diamonds were made when light- ning struck. And it was believed that diamonds offered the wearer protection and the ability to ‘see’ future dangers. The ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were tears from the Gods and were thought to be mystical and powerful stones that affected the heavens and the hearts. The word diamond is derived from the Greek word ‘adamas’ meaning unconquerable or indestructible. The reality of diamond formation is as magical as the myths. The earth has literally given birth to these wonders of nature. Formed between 2-3 billion years ago deep within the earth’s crust the intense heat and pressure caused carbon to crystallize. They are formed at depths of approximately 150-200 km below the surface where temperatures average 900-1300 celsius and the pressure is 50,000 times that of the pressure of the earth’s surface. Along with the diamond bearing rock is molten lamproite and kimberlite that form magma. This mixture pushes up through the layers of the earth forcing its path to the surface. These jewels born of the Earth are limited and the volcanic activity that created them will not create any more. With an origin so unique, no two natural diamonds are alike: each found through a journey all its own. [Capetown Diamond Museum]
The Path of Man-Made On the other hand, lab-grown diamonds can be produced in virtually unlimited quantities, through Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) or High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) processes. With modern technology, lab diamonds can be created in any carat weight, color grade, or clarity grade, making them more affordable than natural stones. The price of lab-grown diamonds is primarily determined by production costs and profit margins, rather than rarity, thus they are significantly less expen- sive and their price continues to drop dramatically. [Paul Zimnisky, analyst 2022] Though certainly a marvel of human ingenuity, laboratory-grown dia- monds are not identical to natural diamonds, despite their similar ap- pearance. Lab-grown diamonds are mass-produced in factories, primari- ly located in China, India, and Singapore. The rapid, artificial production process results in distinct chemical compositions and growth patterns that differ from those of natural diamonds. These unique characteris- tics make lab-grown diamonds easily detectable by experts or with spe- cialized equipment. While they may look almost identical to natural di- amonds to the naked eye, their internal structure and formation process are not the same.
[Natural Diamond Council] So, which do you choose?
Do you marvel at the geological wonder of Mother Nature’s craftsman- ship and respond to the whisper of ancient history? Do you marvel at the technological feat of man bringing forth in days what took nature millennia to produce? Whether it’s their strength or rarity, supernatural abilities or links with purity and power, diamonds have both a real, and intangible appeal. The myths that have transcended time help understand our endearing appreciation of diamonds—as gems that are valuable not just for their sparkle and shine, but for the stories they hold. Kaaren Harper is founder of Layneau, an atelier with an international client base including members of the demographic. Noting that beauty and strength come from self-love which ultimately fuels quality design, she channels the belief that dressing is as much an act of art as it is of mutual respect. Prior to launching Layneau, she was co-owner and chief creative officer for a prominent niche jewelry design house.
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