Comments on: Diamonds: Not necessarily forever http://www.semiologic.com/2005/07/15/diamonds-not-necessarily-forever/ Meaningful Technology Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:23:15 +0000 hourly 1 By: Claus Moser http://www.semiologic.com/2005/07/15/diamonds-not-necessarily-forever/#comment-749 Claus Moser Fri, 15 Jul 2005 17:03:46 +0000 http://www.semiologic.com/2005/07/15/diamonds-not-necessarily-forever/#comment-749 It's not as nonsensical as it may seem. Diamonds as metaphors for durability, constancy and perfection predate the Victorian era by far. Ovid's "Ars amatoria"numbers them among the items women desire as presents from their lovers, and Pliny The Younger's "Natural History" talks about their use as talisman. And what about the Song of Songs: "His hands are as gold ring set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires." During the Middle Ages diamonds were regarded rather suspiciously because of the magical traditions associated to them, but at least from the Renaissance onwards they make a reappearance, not only ornamenting symbols of power such as crowns and sceptres, but also as part of dowries and gifts in noble weddings. Diamond as metaphors for love and beauty are a frequent topic in baroque poetry and art. And once non-nobles were allowed to possess and acquire diamonds, the use becomes even more widespread: Goethe's elegy "Would I Own The Ruby" or Heine's complaint "You've Pearls And You've Diamonds" are just two examples which explicitly mention diamonds as gifts to lovers. De Beers' marketing may have done quite a bit to reinforce and popularize the concept, but the idea has indeed been around for quite a while. It's not as nonsensical as it may seem. Diamonds as metaphors for durability, constancy and perfection predate the Victorian era by far. Ovid's "Ars amatoria"numbers them among the items women desire as presents from their lovers, and Pliny The Younger's "Natural History" talks about their use as talisman. And what about the Song of Songs: "His hands are as gold ring set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires."

During the Middle Ages diamonds were regarded rather suspiciously because of the magical traditions associated to them, but at least from the Renaissance onwards they make a reappearance, not only ornamenting symbols of power such as crowns and sceptres, but also as part of dowries and gifts in noble weddings.

Diamond as metaphors for love and beauty are a frequent topic in baroque poetry and art. And once non-nobles were allowed to possess and acquire diamonds, the use becomes even more widespread: Goethe's elegy "Would I Own The Ruby" or Heine's complaint "You've Pearls And You've Diamonds" are just two examples which explicitly mention diamonds as gifts to lovers.

De Beers' marketing may have done quite a bit to reinforce and popularize the concept, but the idea has indeed been around for quite a while.

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