Diamonds Are Forever – April’s Birthstone
Diamonds, one of nature’s most rare and beautiful creations, do not display all of their splendor when they are in their rough stone form. They must be professionally cut and polished before you can see their breathtaking elegance. They are made of carbon and are formed under extreme temperatures and pressure, which creates crystal formations from their carbon atoms. Natural diamonds are formed deep within the earth and are brought to the earth via very deep-seated volcanic eruptions.
It is precisely this difficult journey to the surface that makes diamonds so rare; most don’t survive the voyage. People born in the month of April are lucky enough to call the diamond their birthstone.
The Diamond Birthstone
Like other gemstones, the diamond represents one of the 12 sun signs in the Zodiac. The diamond is said to correspond with April’s sun sign, Aries, because both Aries and diamonds share the same characteristics: they are both independent, resolute, courageous and optimistic. Astrologers believe that wearing a diamond birthstone will bring abundance, balance, and clarity. In 1912, the American National Association of Jewelers published a verifiable List of Birthstones and officially listed the diamond as the April birthstone. Proponents of crystal healing believe that diamonds reduce emotional pain and stimulate creativity, innovation, and imagination.
Diamonds for Birthstone Jewelry AND Engagement Rings!
While diamond rings are traditionally given as engagement rings, as an April baby, your birthstone gives you another good reason to wear diamonds. Of course, diamond jewelry is beautiful for anyone at any time, and there are plenty of stunning designs and styles to choose from. Here are a few of our favorites:
Diamond Quality
The quality of a diamond dependents on its clarity, cut, color, and carat weight. For example, a 3–carat diamond ring is an impressive weight and an exclusive choice for an engagement ring, but its quality and value will also depend on its clarity and color. Shape too, which should not be confused with its cut, also contributes to a diamond’s quality. To learn more about the difference between shape and cut, please read our article on diamond cuts and diamond shapes.
Diamond properties and shapes
Naturally, not everyone will prefer or opt for a 3-carat diamond engagement ring; your personal style, the cost, and even your lifestyle can all play a role in the diamond engagement ring you finally decide upon. If you ultimately decide on a diamond engagement ring with a smaller carat weight, but would like for the diamond to appear larger, you’ll be happy to know that there are plenty of beautiful and alluring ways to do that. Feel free to check out our article on how to make the diamond on your engagement ring look larger for some ideas and inspiration.
An important word about synthetic diamonds
Synthetic diamonds, or lab-grown diamonds, are considered authentic diamonds. Indeed the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades lab-grown diamonds and in 2018, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) even expanded the definition of diamonds to include those created in labs. Lab-grown and natural diamonds are essentially the same both chemically and physically, the only difference being where they are formed. For a more detailed explanation about synthetic and natural diamonds, we suggest you read this article.
“No pressure, no diamonds”
They say that nothing good comes easy, and diamonds are the perfect example of that adage. Formed under intense heat and pressure and brought to the surface of the earth via fiery journey, the result of this long and difficult journey is the beautiful April birthstone.
