Diamond has been a very popular stone for thousands of years, even though it is only in the past few centuries that modern cutting and polishing techniques have revealed its full glory. To the ancient Greeks and Romans, Diamond was a dull, rough rock that sometimes displayed water-polished sparkles of brilliance. It was difficult to polish, impossible to facet and renowned for its strength and durability. Rough Diamond was a popular talisman in the ancient world, worn to bestow honor, courage and daring. The high regard that ancient peoples had for the magical power of Diamond is obvious, because in its natural, unpolished state it is quite an ugly stone.

Diamond is the hardest known stone, unchangeable even by fire. Because of this quality it has always been revered as a symbol of permanence and the immortality of the soul. It is used in magic to represents the power of true love and all strong emotions that are permanent and unchanging, and this ancient symbolism survives in the modern world, where Diamond is still the preferred stone for engagement rings. An old saying states that a man buys three diamonds in his lifetime - one for his beloved when she becomes his wife, one for his mistress and one for his wife when she finds out about his mistress!

Meditation and magical work with Diamond is believed to enhance your inner strength and allow your unique beauty to shine. It is said to develop the qualities of wisdom, pride and confidence and symbolizes the spiritual search for purity and perfection. Often used in spells to gain fame, influence and power it is the perfect stone for those who are tired of hiding their light under a bushel and long for the recognition they feel they deserve. Diamond, with its scintillating sparkle, can be a trickster, so be sure that you are ready to deal with the pressure of being in the spotlight and that your motives are pure. If your motives are greedy and impure you may find yourself drawn to the attention of the rich and powerful for the wrong reasons!

Diamond is said to protect its bearer from sorcery, possession, negativity and self-doubt and releases the spirit of a person possessed by demons (whether they be magical or psychological). Often classed as a Solar stone, Diamond also has an affinity with Mars and its greatest powers are released when it is used in conjunction with iron, so add a piece of Pyrite, Hematite or Lodestone to any Diamond charm bag or spell to increase its effects.