In a world of mediocrity, in a climate of compromise, the promise of perfection presents a tantalising morsel of meaning – a ray of hope to lighten our lives. Jesus said, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

“But what has this to do with diamonds?” you ask. Perfection is the standard which Diamanteers aspire to, and to which some come close to achieving, but like all human endeavours we can only do the best we can. The only way in which we can truly reflect the perfection of the divine is in Love – for in Love, we come closest to God’s likeness.

The diamond is a metaphor for the human soul – it reflects the light it “borrows” yet has no light of its own – it must encounter light in order to reflect and disperse it. It does this in accordance with its colour, clarity, cut and carat weight. As with people, issues such as colour and imperfections are not as important as they may seem, and are an integral part of the unique character of each gem. Remember, there are vastly more flawed and coloured diamonds than flawless and colourless, and it takes the majority to make the minority look exceptional!

I have been shown diamonds which have almost perfect specifications, but which lack that X factor – character – they have been rendered almost sterile in the cutters quest for physical perfection and don’t deliver where it really matters – scintillation and brilliance, and I have seen gems which on paper would seem to be lesser but which are fiery and alive and captivate.

So just what is a perfect diamond then? It is the one which is perfect for you! It is the gem or gems which reflect your own unique character, aspirations and most of all, your love for one another. This is why money alone, while it is an important consideration, ought never to be the principal motivator in your purchase decision.

Specifications and proportions should not substitute for personality and spirit, and in this world of diversity, there is a lover for everyone and a stunning array of jewels to reflect that love – satisfaction and perfection are not necessarily found in owning or having the best there is, but in doing and being the best we can. We at Via Sollertia believe that we have the diamond that is perfect just for you, from the very best there is available, to the very best you can afford, we will do our very best to make your diamond dreams a reality with jewels that set your hearts on fire.

The engagement ring that symbolizes the eternal love of two people who have pledged to join together in marriage actually dates back to the 15th century.

One of the first recorded accounts of an engagement ring was in 1477 when Archduke Maximilian of Austria presented Mary of Burgundy with a diamond ring. Maximilian wed Mary within 24 hours, thus beginning a tradition that has spanned centuries.

Although diamonds were reserved for royalty and the wealthy for the next 400 years, it wasn't until 1870, with the discovery of the diamond mines in South Africa, that these gems became more accessible and affordable to the public.

Since that first engagement, the betrothal ring has a rich history of change.

The tradition of placing both the engagement ring and wedding band on the fourth finger of the left hand stems from a Greek belief that a certain vein in that finger, the vena amoris, runs directly to the heart.

Posy rings, which were inscribed with love poems and messages, were popular betrothal rings from the Middle Ages until Victorian times.

The smallest engagement ring on record was given to two-year-old Princess Mary, daughter of Henry VIII, on the event of her betrothal to the infant Dauphin of France, son of King Francis I, in 1518. Mary's tiny gold ring was set with a diamond.

Hearts were favourite motifs for engagement and wedding rings during the 17th and 18th centuries. These rings often used rubies (signifying love) and diamonds (signifying eternity).

Colored stones were the gem of choice for engagement rings in the 18th and 19th centuries. - The Tiffany, or solitaire, setting was introduced in the late 19th century.

The "princess ring," sporting three to five large diamonds in a row across the top, was fashionable in the United States in the early 20th century. The three-stone style is extremely popular today.

In the early part of the 20th century, platinum was the metal of choice for engagement rings because of its strength and durability in holding a diamond. However, platinum was declared a strategic metal during World War II, and its usage was restricted to military purposes. This led to the rise of both yellow and white gold in bridal jewellery. During the past 10 years, platinum has made a dramatic comeback.