Each month of the year is ruled by one or more gemstones known as birthstones. Birthstones are said to represent certain qualities and birthstone jewelry is a popular gift for push gifts, anniversaries, and other important occasions. Here we will explore the meaning and history of April’s birthstone.

What is April’s Birthstone?

April’s Birthstone is the diamond. Diamonds have been associated with love and romance for centuries, and their sparkling beauty has made them one of the most popular gemstones in the world.

The History of Diamonds

Of all the gemstones known to man, perhaps the most iconic in the world is diamonds. A symbol of commitment, beauty, resilience, and nobility, diamonds have been praised by everyone from ancient poets to modern pop stars and continue to be a staple of marriages, anniversaries, and other happy occasions. They have also been highly sought after not just for their beauty but also for their industrial usefulness since ancient times, which continues into the modern era. 

Origins of April’s Birthstone: Diamonds

Diamonds are formed of solid carbon created deep within the Earth’s mantle over millennia. Most of today’s natural diamonds were first formed between 1 billion and 3.5 billion years ago and gradually brought to the surface by volcanic eruptions. 

The first diamonds were mined in India, possibly as early as 6,000 years ago, but their engraving tools date back even further. The ancient Greeks knew them as “unbreakable stones” for their hardness due to their extremely rigid arrangement of carbon atoms that makes them the hardest naturally occurring material on Earth. The Romans believed that diamonds were the tears of the gods and that lightning bolts were actually diamonds falling to Earth. They also believed the diamonds to represent love and purity and were used to ward off evil spirits.

Later on, during the Dark Ages, diamonds were used in healing rituals and sometimes were actually ingested in the hopes of healing illness. Back then, diamonds were thought to only come from India, where they were then carried along the Silk Road to the rest of Asia and Europe. This rarity ensured that diamonds remained a symbol of the elite nobility. 

The first recorded instance of a diamond ring being used to signify a marriage engagement comes from 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria presented one to his intended, Mary of Burgundy. Today, diamonds are synonymous with wedding proposals, mainly through the efforts of large diamond-mining corporations such as De Beers, whose famous tagline “a diamond is forever” was first coined in 1947.

Where can you find April’s Birthstone Diamonds?

Ancient cultures believed that diamonds could only be found in India. Today, diamonds are mined in many countries throughout the world. The most important diamond-producing region is Africa, which accounts for just under half of the world’s diamonds mined. 

Other important regions with productive mines can be found in Australia, Canada, and Siberia. They are usually found in deposits of rock called kimberlite, which were brought to the surface by ancient volcanic activity.

How Are Diamonds Mined?

Many early diamonds were found in alluvial deposits, such as riverbanks and shorelines, but today complicated and extensive mining operations are needed, as diamonds are rare. Diamonds are mined from the earth by removing large amounts of rock and soil until the ore body is exposed. 

This process is called “dredging.” Once the ore body is located, it is drilled and blasted to break up the rocks that contain the diamonds. The broken rocks are then transported to a processing plant, where they are crushed and screened to remove impurities. Although many tons of ore may be dredged, only a tiny fraction of this results in gem-quality stones. 

Color and Appearance of the Diamond Birthstone

The color of a diamond is determined by the type and amount of other minerals or oxides present when the rock was formed. Although pure diamonds transmit light like a clear, colorless crystal, diamonds with different chemical compositions or “impurities” can appear yellow, brown, blue, purple, red, orange, green, or black. This comes from slight imperfections in the atomic structure of the crystal itself. 

The clarity of a diamond is graded by its color, size, location of its impurities, and quantity of clarity visible under 10x magnification. Most gem-quality diamonds have some blemishes, but flawless diamonds are very rare.

How are diamonds categorized?

The American Gem Society classifies all diamonds based on the 4Cs of diamonds: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Within these four categories, many variations range from excellent to poor quality. 

Cut

The cut of a diamond refers to its shape, proportions, and symmetry. Diamonds can be found in many shapes, including round (the most popular), oval, pear-shaped, princess (square), or marquise. April’s birthstone is usually cut into one of these shapes because it gives the stone more brilliance. A good quality diamond will have excellent proportioning, allowing maximum light reflection when viewed from the top down. Finally, diamonds are judged based on their symmetry; the facets should line up perfectly with each other so that light reflects evenly from all sides of the gemstone. 

Note that diamond shape affects the price.

Color

Colored diamonds are extremely rare and therefore highly valuable; however, they are no less beautiful than white ones! Gem-quality stones can come in various colors, including yellow, blue, pink, green, and even black. The color is caused by impurities or structural defects within the diamond crystal lattice. Nitrogen, by far the most common impurity, gives yellow and brown diamonds their color, while boron is responsible for blue diamonds. 

Clarity

A diamond’s clarity refers to the number, size, and location of blemishes or inclusions visible to the naked eye. These flaws can be internal (within the stone) or external (on its surface). The American Gem Society typically judges diamonds on an eleven-point scale from Included (the most flawed) to Flawless (no imperfections whatsoever). 

Carat weight

Diamonds are measured in units called points, with each point equal to 0.01ct or roughly two milligrams. The carat weight of a diamond is simply its mass measured in carats. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams, and one ounce equals approximately 142 carats.

Properties of Diamonds, April’s Birthstone

Scientific and Physical Properties of Diamonds

– Hardness –

Diamond is the hardest known natural substance and is assigned a hardness of ten on the Mohs scale. In fact, the only thing that can scratch the hardest diamonds known is other diamonds!

– Density –

The density of diamond is determined to be three times that of water, making it one of the heaviest known gems.

– Refractive Index –

Diamond has the highest refractive index of any gemstone, meaning it bends light more than any other material. This accounts for its extraordinary brilliance and “fire.”

– Dispersion –

Diamond also has the highest dispersion (the separation of white light into its component colors) of any gem, resulting in a rainbow of hues when viewed under proper lighting conditions.

Chemical Properties

Diamond is composed primarily of carbon and is a pure element. It has no chemical reaction with acids or bases, making it superbly durable in almost any environment. 

• Carbon: Diamond is the hardest natural substance on Earth because of its high concentration of carbon.

• Thermal Conductivity: Diamond has the highest thermal conductivity of any material, making it an excellent choice for use in jewelry and other decorative items.

• Electrical Conductivity: Diamonds are also good electrical conductors, making them ideal for use in electronic devices.

How rare is the April birthstone?

The vast majority of gem-quality diamonds found on Earth are actually very small, weighing less than a carat. As more and more diamond mines are exhausted, this gem is only expected to increase in rarity. 

What are blood diamonds?

Diamonds have been used as a source of wealth for centuries, but they can also signify greed. During the early part of the 20th century, many people began to realize that these precious gems could be used for something other than jewelry. 

Diamonds were found to be ideal for funding wars and rebel movements, as they could easily be smuggled across borders and sold on the black market. These gems are known as “blood diamonds” or “conflict diamonds,” and they led to an increase in forced labor, unregulated pollution, and violence in the areas where they were mined. 

Today, organizations like the United Nations are working to stop the trade of blood diamonds and ensure that all diamonds are ethically sourced. 

How are diamonds used in jewelry?

The diamond, April’s birthstone, is used in all kinds of jewelry, from the diamond engagement ring to pendants and earrings, and even crowns. They can also be mounted on metal bands for use as bracelets or anklets, which are worn around the ankle.

April’s birthstone is considered a symbol of everlasting love because it lasts forever without losing its brilliance! 

Diamond Birthstone Jewelry Care and Maintenance

Diamonds are the birthstone for April, but they also make a beautiful and thoughtful gift for people born in any month. With proper care, your diamond jewelry will give you years of enjoyment and look as gorgeous as the day you got it!

The best way to clean diamonds is professionally with an ultrasonic cleaner. Most stores will give your jewelry a quick professional cleaning while you browse its inventory. The best DIY diamond ring cleaner calls for just warm soapy water and a fresh toothbrush. Jewelers Mutual’s website provides a nice video showing how to clean diamond rings. 

This should be done every few weeks if worn daily; however, monthly cleaning is sufficient if only worn occasionally. Always remove your birthstone jewelry before engaging in strenuous activity such as exercise or other vigorous sports and hobbies so that it doesn’t get damaged.

Diamonds are the birthstone for April and represent love, courage, and protection. They have been treasured by people throughout history and remain a popular choice for engagement rings and other pieces of jewelry. 

With proper care, your diamond jewelry will last a lifetime and continue to bring you happiness. 

When Should You Offer an April Diamond Birthstone to Someone?

Diamonds are associated with enduring love and romance, making them the perfect gift for an anniversary or special occasion. But when is the best time to give someone a diamond?

The short answer is, there is no wrong time to offer someone a diamond as a gift. Diamonds are always appreciated and will be sure to put a smile on the recipient’s face. However, there are some occasions that may be more special than others. Here are some ideas:

-As a push present: Diamond birthstone jewelry is a perfect gift for a new mom to commemorate a newborn baby, especially if they happen to be born in April!

-An anniversary: Whether it’s your first year together or your fiftieth, diamonds make an unforgettable anniversary gift.

-A special occasion: If you’re looking for a unique way to celebrate a milestone, diamonds are a perfect choice.

Combined with their expense, their beauty signifies the gift-giver’s thoughtfulness, eternal love, and devotion to the recipient. No matter the occasion, diamonds are a guaranteed way to make it memorable. 

Diamond engagement ring

The most popular use of gem-quality diamonds today is in engagement rings. Although rings with gems have been prevalent throughout history and have been used as engagement symbols since at least the 11th century, it was an ad campaign in the 1940s by the diamond mining corporation De Beers that fused the idea of proposals of marriage and diamond rings, and the tradition has continued ever since. 

All the qualities of diamonds – their brilliance, toughness, rarity, and expense – reflect the modern values of marriage as a beautiful and enduring partnership. 

In Summary

Although diamond is the birthstone of April, it is recognized all over the world as a symbol of wealth, strength, clarity, and commitment. 

Its popularity as a gem and its resilience as a mineral mean that it continues to be sought after and utilized in everything from delicate jewelry to industrial equipment. One of the most iconic and alluringly beautiful of all the gemstones, diamonds make a lasting impression.