Diamonds, the ultimate symbols of romance, have always been surrounded by legends and myth. Ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were splinters of stars fallen to the earth or tears of the Gods. The word diamond comes from the Greek word adamas, which means indomitable (untamable). Since the origin of civilization, man has been aware of the diamond's exceptional yet equal qualities of hardness and beauty. Soon the wealthy and powerful felt a need to exhibit their substantial riches by collecting these clear and refined gems. The power of Kings, Emperors and Conquerors was measured by the size of diamonds they could cultivate or purchase. As a token of love and commitment, these incredible jewels were adorned by their wives or mistresses. To this day, historic pieces of exceptional size and quality can still be admired in many museums such as the Smithsonian Institute, The Louvre and the Tower of London. NEXT PAGE | Hollywood's Influence 1, 2, 3, 4