If you have ever been lucky enough to own a piece of jewellery adorned with diamonds you will know that there is nothing quite like it. There are a whole variety of cuts, colours and styles available, meaning there is a diamond for everyone.

The first known use of a diamond in an engagement ring dates back to the fifteenth century and since then diamonds have been used in all types of jewellery such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings of all types.

Diamond mining in Africa became big business after the second world war and made diamond jewellery available to more people. De Beers is known around the world for creating diamond engagement rings and other diamond jewellery. In 1947, they launched the now world renowned slogan ‘A Diamond is Forever’. This statement refers to a diamond’s durability as a diamond will retain its value for many years.

As buyers become aware of the implications through history of the mistreatment of workers in diamond mines there has been a surge in purchases of manufactured diamonds. Lab grown diamonds also known as cultured diamonds are grown in highly controlled laboratory environments using advanced technological processes that duplicate the conditions under which diamonds naturally develop. Since they are made of the same material as natural diamonds, they exhibit the same optical and chemical properties making them a cheaper alternative.