Yellow Diamonds In My Ear Call em Lemonheads: Culture(d)

In the beginning was the word. Then came the beat… and it was good. But just listen and trust- Diamonds… and I’m talking about Fancy Colored Diamonds, hit the scene eons before they made any acclaimed rap lyrics or the ear lobes and ring fingers of the upper echelon of our society. To bring a little clarity to the title of today’s post: Harlem raised Grammy nominated rap phenomenon Cam’ron/Killa Cam spills lyrics about these fancy diamonds: “Canary burgundy I call it lemon red Yellow diamonds in my ear Call em lemonheads” Another rap artist, Gucci Mane even has a song titled Lemonade where he references his ice box as “Jewelry box a lemon bin” The best way for me to decipher this eloquent urban poetry is that they are without a  doubt 2 of my most favorite lyrically blinged out lines, but the list of them could go on!

Killa Cam

Gucci Mane wearing his Hammer Chain covered in pink and gold diamonds along with one of his Brick Squad Chains in yellow diamonds

Dating back to 1949, Carole Channing was among the first to lyrically introduce diamonds to the scene, in the Broadway production, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, but it is quite possibly more famously done during the1950’s iconic performance of "Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend" by Marilyn Monroe. Canary, Champagne, Black, Cognac and Chocolate- yes, these are all names for colored diamonds, but colors actually range in more shades than you could think of, including color combinations--like brownish pink, or orangey pink really these gems exist in a rainbow of yellows, reds, pinks, blues, greens, purples and all shades in-between. Fancy colored diamonds can be seen more and more taking the place of the traditional colorless diamond as they have become increasingly popular amidst the celebrity scene! How could we forget J-Lo’s 6 carat pink diamond engagement ring, given to her by Ben Affleck.

 But with that said lets get down to a bit of history…
While the name diamond is derived from the ancient Greek "proper", "unalterable", "unbreakable, untamed", diamonds are thought to have been first recognized and mined in India and have been known in India for at least 3,000 years but most likely 6,000 years.
"The earliest diamond color grading system was based on India's ancient class structure. Each class was limited to owning a particular diamond color."

Priests and rulers........................white diamonds

Landowners and warriors...........brown diamonds

Merchants..................................yellow diamonds

Lower class.................................black diamonds

So what is a fancy colored diamond really...?? They are simply just very rare diamonds that are valued based on the intensity of its color... thats all...

11 carats of chocolate-colored diamonds outline the “swooshes” on a pair of Nike “So Cal” Air Force 1 “Supreme Max” runners. The Nike limited editions were customized with the fancy colored diamonds by Laced Up owner Ernel Dawkins and C Couture boutique owner Rita Patel.

Unusual vintage Indian-style suite by Bochic in 22k gold set with rose-cut diamonds.

Heidi Klum's fancy yellow Canary cushion cut diamond ring

Carmen Electras  2008 black diamond engagement ring surrounded by white diamonds.

Post inspired: Thank U Dave!! xX w/ a little verbal collaboration tribute to Pondering Polly!