Diamonds are not only everyone’s best friend, they are also April’s birthstone. The hardest gemstone around, diamonds are a true wonder. Natural or lab grown, these beauties look good on everyone, for everything. Wear them daily, dress up those sweats or pair them perfectly for an elegant event. Whatever the occasion, whatever your style, wear diamonds and sparkle like the stars.
April’s birthstone is the dazzling diamond. That’s right, diamonds are a birthstone! Diamonds are traditionally known by their colorless variety, however there are also beautiful fancy colored diamonds.
Ancient Romans believed if you were hit by Cupid’s arrow, tipped of course with the dazzling gemstone, your love would be unbreakable. While others, including sources in Hinduism, associate diamonds with beauty and happiness. It is no wonder diamonds are traditionally used for engagement rings, wedding rings, and are given on multiple anniversaries. Celebrate your love with the gemstone representing love.
Other benefits thought to be associated with April’s birthstone are good energy, good health, both mental and physical, and even rid the body of toxins. Still others believe that diamonds’ abilities go so far as to be an antidote to poison.
Diamonds are a true wonder as they are available in both colorless and fancy colored options. Colorless diamonds refers to a diamond’s lack of hue, meaning the more color or yellowing it has, the less desirable it is. These diamonds are measured on a scale of D to Z, D being the most colorless, and therefore the most desirable option.
Whereas with fancy colored diamonds, they are available in a rainbow of colors and the stronger the hue, the more desirable it is. These diamonds are graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and these grades are based on tone, hue, and saturation.
Beloved for generations, diamonds have an incredibly long history. In fact, it is believed some ancient civilizations thought diamonds to be lightning materialized on earth.
It is believed that diamonds were traded as early as the 4th century BCE, as they were sought after by royalty and the elite. Dating back to the Mongols, diamonds were popular in India, where they were easily mined at the time. Continuing to the 1400s, diamonds continued to be a favorite for the upper class.
As the diamond supply in India dwindled, the gemstone was discovered in Brazil and ultimately, South Africa in the late 1860s, the start of the modern-day diamond market.
Diamonds are the hardest gemstone around, a key part of their value. Rating at the top of the Mohs Hardness Scale, diamonds get their durability thanks to their atomic structure. Being made of pure carbon, diamonds are so strong they can only be scratched by other diamonds. It is this strength that makes them incredibly popular, particularly for engagement rings.
No matter when you were born, it is important to properly care for your diamond jewelry.
Follow these tips to protect your April birthstone jewelry.
Follow these tips to clean your April birthstone.
Just like most months of the year, April has more than one birthstone. In addition to the dazzling diamond, white topaz and clear quartz, which have visual similarities to colorless diamonds, are also birthstones for April.
Diamonds are special because of their strength, their meaning, and their universal popularity. This gemstone has long been the traditional stone for engagement rings, wedding rings, tennis bracelets, and other timeless pieces of fine jewelry.
Diamonds are graded by characteristics known as the 4Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Cut refers to a diamonds facets, angles, and proportions. Color refers to the lack of color or colorlessness of a diamond. Clarity refers to a lack of inclusions and how clear the diamond is. And carat weight refers to the size of the diamond.
While these terms are used interchangeably, a diamond’s shape refers to its overall form. Think oval, heart, round, or emerald. A diamond’s cut refers to its symmetry, proportions and polish.
Diamonds come in a variety of shapes and cuts. Round diamonds are incredibly popular as they are considered to be universally flattering. Other beloved options include princess, cushion, emerald, marquise, oval, radiant, pear, and Asscher. And of course, there are heart shaped diamonds.
Conflict-free diamonds are diamonds that were not obtained due to human rights abuses, civil war, child labor, violence, or environmental degradation. At James Allen, we make sure that our customers receive conflict-free diamonds. In fact, our internal guidelines exceed government requirements. When you shop with us, you can be certain that your diamonds are coming from the most reputable providers.
