THE WORD “diamond” is derived
from the Greek ward _adamas,
meaning “‘unconquerable,’* | sug-'
gesting (he. eternity, of. love--and
evoking the... popular.” advertising
slogan, ‘Diamonds are forever.*” ~

At one time, :only kings and -‘no-
bles were priviteged to wear. dia-
monds.

Rulers of ancient” india, who
believed them to have the: power lo
make: them ‘invincible, ‘wore dia-
monds-as a {aiisman: to’ ward off
evil. In the Middle Ages, diamonds
were worn inio battle as a symbol
of courage. >

it wasn’t: patil the 15th century,
though. that. it became’ custom to
present the ‘sparkling gem as an
engagement ring; Mary of Burgun-
dy was the first. to<recefve, such a
ring, from her future husband, Are
chduke Maximilian: of Austria, on:
Aug. 17, 1477.

ein . “of ;
: third.

the Egyptians believed s kno

love, vene amoris, joined tte
finger te the heart.

to be the blue Hope ‘diamoud. At
only 44, 50 carats it i3, fot: the ty

British “Imperial Sceptre *
display in the Tower of

Believed to have played’a. part’ in
the deaths of Louig seve and Marie

Philip Hope,’
_ gem’ collector” and]

_ By Layne Christensen
: Fashion Reporter ~

of the Washington Post newspaper,”
who boasted about its legends at.
cocktail parties. .

OAS fate would have it, McLean's _
nine-year-old son died in an auto
aceident, her husband died in a
mental hospital and: her daughter
‘committed suicide at the age of 25.

The diamond now. rests safely in”
the. Smithsonian “Institute in
Washington, D.C.

While few of us can afford a ‘perm
the size of the Hope or Cullinan J, --
the selection. of diamonds offered
by local jewellers . should satisty
every price range...

When purchasing a stone it’ 3 ime
portant to shop Bround and to have -

‘cut, quality and. value, says Roland
“Badke, a certified’ » gemologist. and
manager of Gem Jewellers : in
Capilano Mall.

Badke suggests considering the
tour Cs when purchasing diamonds:
6 Cut — a well-cut diamond
allows light to be reflected from one

“facet to another and then dispersed
through the top of the stone. Styles
of cuts include oval, marquise,

ee epedr, heart, emerald and baguette

and the most popular, the round
brilliant.

‘@ Color — a colorless stone is of
superior quality;

® Clarity — the freer the stone -is<
-Of inclusions, or imperfections, ‘the;

diamond, the rarer itis One? carat:
weighs one-fifth of /a gram," one:
point equals one-five-hundredth:. of

FAHILY-OWNED Gem Jewellers in’ Capilano Mall have been crafting exquisite. pieces: out of dia-
monds, gold and other precious gems for over 25 years. Pictured. here:- yellow: gold ‘serpentine
dress chain, $1,995: gold bangle-style bracelet threaded with diamonds, $3,695; gold fan-shaped
ring, $454; gold ting with marquis and round brilliant diamonds, $2,495;. gold swirl brooch, $395;
goid bracelet with heart-shaped links, $1,077; custom-designed yellow gold ring with sapphires and
round brilliant diamonds, $3,400.