1. Industrial Applications: While industrial diamond use was still in its early stages, some diamonds were already employed for cutting, polishing, and drilling tasks due to their exceptional hardness.
2. Mining: Diamonds were used to make drill bits for mining explorations and extracting precious minerals.
3. Medical Field: Diamonds were employed as surgical tools due to their precise cutting properties and resistance to corrosion.
4. Scientific Instruments: Diamonds were utilized in some optical instruments, such as microscopes, for clarity and precision.
5. Decorative Elements: Diamonds were incorporated into various other crafts, including mosaics and artwork.
6. Prestige and Symbolism: As they always have, diamonds represented luxury, status, and wealth.
It's worth noting that the famous diamond rushes in South Africa (particularly the discovery of the Kimberley diamond fields) did not gain significant momentum until the late 1860s, which then led to a surge in the availability and use of diamonds.