Diamonds are the most prized and 1HIGH valued of gemstones. Throughout history they have been admired by royalty and worn as a symbol of 2STRONG, courage and invincibility. Over the centuries the diamond acquired unique status as the ultimate gift of love, in myth and 3REAL. It is the hardest known substance yet has the simplest chemical 4COMPOSE, consisting of crystallised carbon, the chemical element that is fundamental to all life. Diamonds come in many colours and their 5OPTICS properties are stunning. They disperse light into the colours of the rainbow, and sparkle far more than any other gemstone. First mined in India over 4000 years ago, diamonds were used to decorate 6RELIGION objects, serve as a talisman against evil and a 7PROTECT in battle. Buddhists also recognised the deep 8SYMBOL significance accorded the diamonds in ancient Buddhist scriptures, including the ‘Diamond Sutra’ which states that truth is eternal, just like the diamond.