View source for First water

{{Short description|Quality rating of diamonds}}
In the [[Earth:Gemstone|gemstone]] trade, '''first water''' means "highest quality".<ref name=Collins>{{cite web|title=Definition of first water|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/first-water|work=Collins English Dictionary|access-date=7 December 2012}}</ref> The [[Chemistry:Diamond clarity|clarity of diamonds]] is assessed by their translucence; the more like [[Chemistry:Water|water]], the higher the quality. The 1753 edition of ''Chambers's Encyclopaedia'' states "The first water in Diamonds means the greatest purity and perfection of their complexion, which ought to be that of the clearest drop of water. When Diamonds fall short of this perfection, they are said to be of the second or third water, &c. till the stone may be properly called a coloured one." The phrase ''first water'' is also used more generally to refer to the highest quality or most extreme example of a person or thing, not just gemstones.<ref name=Collins />

The comparison of diamonds with water dates back to at least the early 17th century, and Shakespeare alludes to it in ''Pericles'', 1607.<ref>{{Folger inline|Per|3|2|113–117}}</ref>
{{quote|<poem>... heavenly jewels which Pericles hath lost—
... The diamonds of a most praisèd water doth
appear to make the world twice rich.</poem>}}

==References==
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Diamond]]
[[Category:Quality control]]

{{Sourceattribution|First water}}