Diamond

Those born in the month of April you are lucky enough to call the diamond, a scintillating stone, your birthstone. Diamonds will sparkle with an intense fire all its own. Diamonds are one of the world’s most sought-after and adored gemstones and considered the most durable. The hardness, brilliance, and sparkle of diamonds make them unsurpassed as gems. Gem quality Diamonds are fashioned from the original crystal shape they possess. They emit a combination of brightness, sparkle, fire, and sense of purity.

Definition:

Diamond is so strong, in fact, that its name comes from the Greek word ”adamas”, which means invincible or unbreakable, unalterable and untamed. Diamond forms under high temperature and pressure conditions that exist only about 100 miles beneath the earth’s surface. Diamond’s carbon atoms are bonded in essentially the same way in all directions. It is so hard that you can only scratch it with another diamond.

The History of Diamond:

The timeless charm of diamond was cherished long before it became April’s birthstone. Our love for the April birthstone started in India at least 3000 years ago (but most likely closer to 6000 years ago), where diamonds were gathered from the country’s rivers and streams. Diamonds were treasured since their use as religious icons. Their usage in engraving tools also dates to early human history. Traded as early as the fourth century BCE, diamonds were coveted by royalty and the wealthy. In the first century AD, the Roman naturalist Pliny stated: “Diamond is the most valuable, not only of precious stones, but of all things in this world.”

Later, caravans brought Indian diamonds, along with other exotic merchandise, to medieval markets in Venice. By the 1400s, diamonds were becoming fashionable accessories for Europe’s elite. The first Diamond Engagement Ring on record was given by Archduke Maximillian of Austria to his betrothed, Mary of Burgundy, in 1477. Recent evidence supports the origin of the legendary 45.52 carat Blue Hope Diamond in India’s Golconda mining area and its sale to King Louis XIV of France in 1668 (then known as the French Blue Diamond).

In the early 1700s, as India’s diamond supplies began to decline, Brazil emerged as an important source. Diamonds were discovered when gold miners sifted through gravels on the banks of the Jequitinhonha River in Minas Gerais. Brazil dominated the diamond market for more than 150 years.

The discovery of diamonds near Kimberley, South Africa, in the late 1860s marked the beginning of the modern diamond market. Entrepreneur Cecil Rhodes established De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited in 1888, and by 1900 De Beers controlled an estimated 90 percent of the world’s production of rough diamonds. The largest diamond ever found – at 3,106 carat – was recovered from South Africa’s Premier mine in 1905. From it was cut the pear shaped 530 carat Cullinan I Diamond, also known as the Great Star of Africa, which is now set in the Royal Sceptre with Cross and housed with the other Crown Jewels in the Tower of London.

Today, of course, the Diamond Engagement Ring has become a near-universal symbol of love and marriage.

Symbolism:

In the symbolism of gemstones, Diamonds represent steadfast love. Diamond is also a symbol of clarity and strength. An anonymous second-century poet maintained that this birthstone for April warded off the “evil eye” – a malevolent look believed to cause sickness, poverty and even death. Also it is believed to have healing powers. Over the centuries, the diamond was thought to be an antidote to poison and provide protection against the plague. Some claim that it is a boon for longevity, strength, beauty and happiness.

Diamond is a symbol of purity. Its pure white light can help you to bring your life into a cohesive whole. It bonds relationships, bringing love and clarity into a partnership. It is said to enhance the love of a husband and wife and is seen as a sign of commitment and fidelity. Diamond has been a symbol of wealth for thousands of years and is one of the stones of manifestation, attracting abundance.

Diamond is an amplifier of energy. It is one of the few stones that never needs recharging. It increases the energy of whatever it comes into contact with and is very effective when used with other crystals for healing as it enhances their power.

Psychologically, Diamond imparts fearlessness, invincibility, and fortitude. However it will pinpoint anything that is negative and requires transformation. Diamond clears emotional and mental pain, reduces fear, and brings about new beginnings. It is a highly creative stone, stimulating imagination and inventiveness.

Mentally, Diamond provides a link between the intellect and the higher mind. It brings clarity of mind and aids enlightenment.

Spiritually, Diamond cleanses the aura of anything shrouding a person’s inner light, allowing the soul light to shine out. It reminds one of their soul’s aspirations and aids spiritual evolution. It activates the crown chakra and is a link to divine light.

Landscape of Northern Canada near diamond deposits

Location:

The birthstone for April is now mined around the world. By the early 2000s, South Africa has been joined by other African nations as major producers of rough diamonds. These include the Democratic Republic of the Congo (previously known as Zaire) and Botswana. The former Soviet Union opened its first major mine in 1960, and Russia is now one of the top producers by both volume and value. Diamond mining expanded dramatically with the opening of the Argyle mine in Australia in 1983 and the discovery of several diamond deposits in Northern Canada in the 1990s.

Diamond mining in Russia’s eastern Siberia reads like an adventure novel. The setting: tundra, frigid temperatures and short days. The props: jet engines and explosives used to heat and soften the ice covering the kimberlite pipes – vertical, carrot shaped masses of igneous rock that can be a primary source of diamonds. The storyline: in 2013, Alrosa, Russia’s main diamond mining company, estimated that there were 970 million carats still waiting to be found in the frozen tundra.

Botswana diamonds lie in the typically hot, semi-arid region of the country. These prolific mines have brought a boom to the economy, creating a growing middle class. The country is also a diamond hub, where approximately 40 percent of the world’s supply of rough diamonds are sorted and valued.

Care & Cleaning:

Diamond, a 10 on the Mohs scale of Hardness, is usually durable enough to be place in an ultrasonic cleaner. However, if your diamond birthstone has many inclusions, or has been treated, it is best to clean it with a lint-free cloth, or use warm water, mild soap, and a soft toothbrush, or a commercial jewelry cleaning solution.

Also have your Diamond Jewelry periodically cleaned and its setting examined by a professional jeweler to maintain its beauty and integrity over time.

Why We Love This Gemstone

Global Language:

The 4 C’s, created by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), are considered the global language of diamond quality.

Carbon:

Diamond is the only gem composed of one single element: carbon.

A Billion Years:

Most diamonds formed more than a billion years ago, deep in the earth’s mantle.

The human contribution:
To a diamond’s value and beauty is a well-executed cut.

COLOR

The less color, the higher the grade. Even the slightest hint can make a dramatic difference in value.

CLARITY

The grade of clarity of a diamond is determined by the number, size, relief, and position of inclusions and blemishes. A more clear diamond holds more value.

CUT

Cut (proportions, symmetry, and polish) is a measure of how a diamond’s facets interact with light. Cut refers to the actual shape of the stone as well as the quality of the cutting of the diamond.