The Diamond Stone in the Arab Scientific Heritage from the Umayyad Era to the End of the Mamluk Era (41- 923 AH/ 662-1517AD): A Cultural Historical Study

Abstract

This research highlights the importance of diamond in the Arab scientific heritage during the period from the Umayyad era to the end of the Mamlūk era. Diamond occupies a prestigious position among all precious stones, which is why Arab and Muslim scholars called it the "King of Gems" due to its exceptional qualities that earned it such status. It is the most beautiful gemstone and the hardest known substance, possessing the highest refractive index. Arab and Muslim scholars paid close attention to the diamond stone since the very beginning of their documentation of knowledge about precious stones.

The research sheds light on how Arab and Muslim scholars developed a unique classification system for diamond types much better than the previous classifications. Based on diamond's mining location, color, and various other properties, they established a precise system for evaluating and pricing it, which they used in the diamond trade. Muslims used the aforementioned diamond properties for adornment and beautification, and employed their hardness in cutting and processing other hard stones, along with various other applications such as performing certain complex and difficult types of medical surgery. The research also sheds light on the methods and techniques used to extract diamonds from mines, identifying the most prominent countries and regions in which they were mined. The research is made up of an introduction, research significance, questions and objectives, methodology, several subsections, and a conclusion summarizing the most important findings.