April Birthstone - Diamond

The brilliant gemstone symbolizing enduring love, purity, and strength

About April's Birthstone

Diamond, the birthstone for April, is the most coveted and admired gemstone in the world. Formed deep within the Earth under extreme heat and pressure, diamonds are made of pure carbon and are the hardest naturally occurring substance known to mankind.

The word "diamond" comes from the Greek word "adamas," meaning "invincible" or "unbreakable," which perfectly describes this extraordinary gemstone's durability. Diamonds have been treasured for thousands of years, not only for their incomparable beauty but also for their symbolic meaning of eternal love and commitment.

As the April birthstone, diamonds are believed to bring clarity, balance, and abundance to those born in this month. They're also the traditional gift for 60th and 75th wedding anniversaries, symbolizing the enduring strength of a long-lasting marriage.

April Birthstone - Diamond

Diamond Properties

Physical Properties

  • Mineral: Diamond (pure carbon)
  • Color: Colorless to yellow, also blue, pink, green, orange, red, brown, black
  • Hardness: 10 on Mohs scale (hardest natural substance)
  • Transparency: Transparent to translucent
  • Refractive Index: 2.417-2.419
  • Crystal System: Cubic (isometric)
  • Cleavage: Perfect in four directions

Symbolic Meaning

  • Enduring Love: Symbolizes eternal commitment and devotion
  • Purity: Represents clarity and innocence
  • Strength: Signifies invincibility and courage
  • Abundance: Associated with prosperity and good fortune
  • Clarity: Believed to bring mental clarity and focus
  • Protection: Traditionally thought to ward off evil and provide protection

Sources & Origins

  • Major Sources: Russia, Botswana, Canada, Australia, South Africa
  • Other Sources: Angola, Namibia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Brazil
  • Historical Sources: India, Brazil, South Africa
  • Notable Mines: Cullinan (South Africa), Argyle (Australia), Diavik (Canada)
  • Mining Methods: Open-pit, underground, alluvial, and marine mining
  • Formation: Deep in the Earth's mantle under extreme pressure and heat

Care & Maintenance

  • Cleaning: Warm, soapy water and soft brush; professional cleaning recommended
  • Ultrasonic: Generally safe for most diamonds
  • Steam Cleaning: Generally safe for most diamonds
  • Chemicals: Resistant to most chemicals, but avoid chlorine bleach
  • Storage: Store separately to prevent scratching other gemstones
  • Handling: Avoid touching the diamond's surface to prevent oil buildup

The Rich History of Diamonds

Diamonds have a fascinating history that spans thousands of years. The first diamonds were discovered in India around the 4th century BCE, where they were valued for their ability to refract light and their exceptional hardness. For centuries, India was the world's only source of diamonds.

In ancient times, diamonds were believed to possess magical properties. Romans wore them as talismans for strength and invincibility in battle. During the Middle Ages, diamonds were thought to have healing properties and were used to cure various ailments.

The diamond trade expanded significantly in the 1700s when diamonds were discovered in Brazil, and then again in the 1800s with major discoveries in South Africa. The famous Cullinan Diamond, the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found, was discovered in South Africa in 1905, weighing an astonishing 3,106 carats.

The tradition of diamond engagement rings gained popularity in the late 1800s, but it wasn't until the 1930s that the De Beers company launched their famous "A Diamond is Forever" campaign, cementing the diamond's status as the ultimate symbol of enduring love and commitment. Today, diamonds remain the most popular gemstone for engagement rings and continue to be treasured for their exceptional beauty and durability.

Historical Diamond Jewelry

Diamond Varieties

While most people think of diamonds as colorless, they actually come in a rainbow of colors and various quality grades. Here are some of the most notable diamond varieties:

Colorless Diamonds

The most common and traditionally valued diamonds, graded on a scale from D (completely colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). The more colorless, the more valuable they typically are.

Fancy Color Diamonds

Natural colored diamonds that fall outside the normal color range. These include yellow, blue, pink, green, orange, red, purple, brown, and black diamonds. Red diamonds are the rarest and most valuable.

Champagne Diamonds

Light brown to cognac-colored diamonds that range from light to dark. These diamonds have gained popularity for their warm, unique color and more accessible price point.

Black Diamonds

Naturally occurring black diamonds (carbonados) get their color from numerous dark inclusions. They have a distinctive appearance and have become popular in modern jewelry designs.

Salt and Pepper Diamonds

Diamonds with visible white and black inclusions that create a speckled appearance. Once considered less desirable, they're now sought after for their unique character and lower price point.

Rough Diamonds

Uncut, natural diamonds in their original crystalline form. These have become popular in alternative engagement rings and artistic jewelry designs that showcase the diamond's natural beauty.

Fascinating Facts About Diamonds

Ancient Formation

Most natural diamonds formed between 1 and 3 billion years ago, deep within the Earth's mantle at depths of 87 to 120 miles, under extreme pressure and temperatures.

Incredible Hardness

Diamonds are so hard that the only thing that can scratch a diamond is another diamond. They're approximately 58 times harder than the next hardest mineral, corundum (sapphires and rubies).

Space Diamonds

Some stars that died and became white dwarfs left behind their carbon cores, which crystallized into diamond. Scientists believe that the core of the star Lucy in the constellation Centaurus is essentially a diamond of 10 billion trillion trillion carats.

The 4Cs

Diamonds are evaluated based on the "4Cs": Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight. This standardized grading system was established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in the 1950s.

Diamonds in Jewelry

Diamonds are the most popular gemstone for fine jewelry, especially for engagement rings and other significant pieces. Here are some popular ways diamonds are used in jewelry:

Popular Settings

  • Solitaire Rings: A single diamond set on a simple band, highlighting the stone's beauty and brilliance.
  • Halo Settings: A center diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds, creating the illusion of a larger stone.
  • Three-Stone Rings: Representing the past, present, and future, these rings typically feature a larger center diamond flanked by two smaller stones.
  • PavĂ© Settings: Multiple small diamonds set closely together, creating a surface of continuous sparkle.
  • Channel Settings: Diamonds set in a row within a channel, creating a smooth, sleek look often used in wedding bands.

Styling Tips

  • Diamonds pair beautifully with all metals, including white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, and platinum.
  • For a classic look, choose a round brilliant cut diamond, which maximizes the stone's fire and brilliance.
  • For a more unique or vintage-inspired look, consider fancy shapes like cushion, emerald, oval, or pear cuts.
  • Diamonds complement all other gemstones and can be used as accent stones to enhance the beauty of colored gems.

Care Tips for Diamond Jewelry

  • Clean diamond jewelry regularly with mild soap and warm water using a soft brush.
  • Have professional cleanings and inspections at least once a year to ensure prongs and settings remain secure.
  • Remove diamond jewelry before engaging in rough activities or household chores to prevent damage to the setting.
  • Store diamond pieces separately from other jewelry to prevent scratching other gemstones.

Explore Other Birthstones

January Birthstone - Garnet

January: Garnet

 February Birthstone - Amethyst

February: Amethyst

 March Birthstone - Aquamarine

March: Aquamarine

 May Birthstone - Emerald

May: Emerald
View All Birthstones

Monthly Birthstone Chart

Looking for a quick reference to all birthstones? Check out our printable birthstone chart featuring all 12 months and their corresponding gemstones.

View Birthstone Chart
Monthly Birthstone Chart