James Allen News Center

For thousands of years people have admired and nations have warred over a glistening gemstone – the diamond, which happens to be the most sought after of all stones found in the earth. Its beauty is one of its chief attributes, its worth is beyond compare, but its strength is renowned because the diamond is the hardest material known.

India has the distinction of being the first land where diamonds were harvested, discovered in alluvial deposits there dating back to the ninth century BC. By the time that the young American republic was birthed, India`s supply of diamonds had been exhausted, but soon replaced by Brazil which was found to have diamonds decades earlier.

By the 1870s, diamond fields were discovered in South Africa, opening up the African continent to exploration. Today, central and southern African countries supply diamonds to the world market, but the greatest output has now shifted to Russia, with Canada and Australia each contributing to the diamond trade.

In contemporary culture, diamonds remain as prized as they have been since discovery. That old expression, "diamonds are a girl`s best friend" holds true today, with even some men enjoying the wearing of a sparkler. Californians, noted for their showy excesses, wear diamonds everywhere including to the pool, the beach, as well as to big screen events. Wearing a bikini? No problem! You weren`t going in for a swim anyway – laying out in a lounge chair with your two carat sparkler is certain to attract a lot of attention for you. Just look at how the light dances off of that rock!

Throughout the near and middle east, diamonds continue to signify love with the groom expected to provide a diamond ring in addition to much gold for his beloved. Elegant, pierced diamond earrings are worn by young girls and mothers pushing baby strollers stop to admire each their rings as well as ech other`s children.

Across China, a rising middle class of consumers is hungry for western goods, but precious jewels and gemstones are sought after by young couples who are awash in cash and want all that the world has to offer it. Traders in Hong Kong openly hawk their wares while businessmen in Shanghai, party officials in Beijing, and industrial workers in Guangzhou, Chongqing, and Tianjin, reward themselves by investing in loose diamonds.

All across the globe, the internet has united buyers and merchants together, as web access has made it easy for people to shop for gemstones, pearls, silver, gold, and other precious metals. No longer are the teeming bazaars of Mumbai or Cairo the only places to find diamond values nor are the chic, private shops of Copenhagen, Rio, Sydney, and New York the best destinations for top quality diamonds. Rather, merchants demonstrating their goods over the internet, including James Allen, have brought shopping to hundreds of millions of consumers worldwide – bringing convenience, competition, and great prices right to the living room.

Whether worn by the pool, exchanged at a wedding, given as a religious gift, presented to Mom, or offered to the new grad, diamonds continue to stir the imagination, gladden the hearts of the recipients, and inspire people the world over. Shop for your James Allen diamonds today – loose or set, we have the widest selection available for you right on-line.