When did rough diamonds become a fine jewelry motif? An entire global diamond industry has been in place for centuries to carefully cut and polish diamonds pried out of the earth. Knowledge of geometry, optics, and no small amount of skill is required to bring out the optimal brilliance and fire of a given diamond.

But now diamond companies and jewelers ranging from newcomers to well-established houses like De Beers seem to be embracing the less symmetric beauty of rough diamonds.

De Beers sells an entire collection that combines rough diamonds and polished diamonds in bracelets, rings, earrings, and necklaces. The Talisman collection features diamonds that range in size from less than 0.5 carats to over 3.5 carats set in different metals.

Last autumn, Canadian actress Allie MacDonald wowed fashion fans when she walked the red carpet at the Toronto International Film Festival wearing a $1 million necklace crafted from 27 rough Ontario diamonds with a combined weight of 75 carats. The 18 karat gold necklace was designed by artists Reena Ahluwalia and crafted by the Vancouver-based Crossworks firm, which has an agreement with De Beers.

And on March 16, the Diamond in the Rough jewelry company announced the launch of its first e-commerce site, diamondintherough.com. The site features a bridal boutique with a selection of rough diamond solitaire rings set off my micro pave diamonds on the band.

The rough diamond rings are available in 18 karat yellow and pink gold or platinum. Just because the diamonds haven't been cut and polished doesn't mean they come cheap, though – the rings from Diamond in the Rough range in price from $3,500 to $10,000.

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