My Cherished Gem
The Jonker facts:
The Jonker was first considered a "freak of nature." Its frosty exterior posed a great challenge to the diamond cutter. After studying the diamond for months, Lazare Kaplan cut it into several diamonds. The largest diamond, which retained the name "Jonker," originally weighed 142.9 carats and was cut with 66 facets. To create greater brilliance, the Jonker was recut to 125.65 carats, with 58 facets. The Jonker is considered the most perfectly cut gem in existence.
http://www.brazwriter.com/jewelry.html
The Jonker diamond was discovered in an alluvial deposit near the Premier Mine. The Jonker is the finest-quality large diamond ever found.
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761557986_2/Diamond.html
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Quick facts on Diamonds:
1. In Western culture, diamonds are the traditional emblem of fearlessness and virtue, but have also often associated with power, wealth, crime and misfortune. Today, diamonds are used to symbolize eternity and love, being often seen adorning engagement rings and sometimes wedding rings as well. The popularity of this modern tradition can be traced directly to the marketing campaigns of De Beers, starting in 1938. Prior to the De Beers marketing campaign, engagement rings had no one particular stone associated with them.
2. The first diamond engagement ring can be traced to the marriage of Maximilian I (then Archduke of Austria) to Mary of Burgundy in 1477.
