Diamonds a Source of Love & Fascination … The History of

The diamond is the hardest known substance in the world.  They've been a source of fascination for centuries.  Kings and Queens have prized them, wars have been fought over them. Today, Diamonds have become ‘The Symbol of Love’ through out the world.

It all started in the 15th century when Austrian Archduke Maximilian gave a diamond ring to his finance.  They chose to place the ring  on the fourth finger of the left hand because legend held that this finger provided a direct link between tokens of love and the heart.
The word diamond comes from the Greek word “Adamas”, meaning "Unconquerable".  Billions of years ago, in a deep layer of the earth, a unique combination of chemicals, pressure and changes in temperature, created diamonds out of pure carbon, which is one of the Earth's most common elements and it's the hardest known substance in the world.  Diamonds are a transparent gem uniquely resistant to damage by heat or scratching, and can be cut or polished only by another diamond. It's thousands of times harder than corundum, the next hardest substance from which rubies and sapphires are formed. Even after many years of constant wear, diamonds will preserve their sharp edges and corners when most other stones will have become worn and chipped. Many people expect a diamond to be unbreakable, however this isn't true. A diamond's crystal structure has "hard" and "soft" directions. A blow of sufficient force, in an exact direction, can crack, chip, split or even shatter a diamond.
Currently, most diamonds are mined in South Africa, Zaire, Russia, Canada, Australia, Botswana, Angola, Namibia, Brazil, Ghana, and China. The major cutting centers of the diamond world are in Antwerp, Bombay, Tel Aviv, and New York.

The diamond's strength and pure transparent beauty have always represented the purest emotions of human heart -- commitment and deep lasting love.  For over 64 years, Parks Diamond Jewelers has been one of the most trusted names in jewelry in the Texarkana region. Parks is committed to make every customer "feel at home" with their personalized service and their classic to cutting edge jewelry designs.

To celebrate the diamond, and your love, Parks Diamond Jewelers is giving you a chance to win $50,000 towards diamonds and the wedding of your dreams.

Click here to enter.  Contest ends September 30, 2011.