Diamonds - The ultimate symbol of romance. Diamonds were first mined in India over 4,000 years ago, though the modern mining industry began with discoveries in South Africa in the late 19th century. Today, the top seven diamond producing countries, accounting for almost 80 percent of the world's rough diamond supply are; Botswana, Russia, South Africa, Angola, Namibia, Australia and Zaire. When a diamond is mined it is known as 'rough' and needs to be cleaved and polished by the hand of an experienced diamond cutter into the familiar shapes that are used in jewellery worldwide, each and every polished diamond is therefore the intricate work of skilled masters. Diamonds are polished in many countries, but the major centres are located in New York, Antwerp, Tel Aviv and Bombay. Diamond is the hardest substance on earth, measuring 10 on the Moh's Scale. Only a diamond can scratch another diamond and smaller diamonds are used to cut facets on diamonds and on other gems.	Diamond has the highest polish of any other substance, and can reflect light better than any other element, which is why it is so highly prized for jewellery. Diamonds are composed of almost pure carbon, nature's most common and simple element. When subjected to heat and pressure, and over the course of millions of years, this carbon begins to crystallize and grow, forming a transparent gemstone. Diamonds as a commodity are among the most expensive items in the world, selling for over $11,000,000 per pound, although many pounds of diamonds are sold, in many different qualities and price ranges. Approximately 250 tons of ore must be mined and processed in order to produce a single one-carat polished, gem quality diamond, only one polished diamond in a thousand weighs more than a carat. Since nature never repeats herself, each diamond is unique.
Centuries ago, it was believed that diamonds protected an individual from harm and actually brought luck and success to the wearer, counteracting the effects of unfortunate astrological events and endowing the wearer with charm and the ability to attract others. The Greek philosopher, Plato wrote about diamonds as living beings, embodying celestial spirits.	Diamond transfers and conveys heat more efficiently than any other element. Industrial grade diamonds are used in drill bits, abrasives and cutting wheels while apart from those used in jewellery manufacture, gem quality diamonds are also used aboard spacecraft as windows and camera lenses.