A birthstone is associated with each month of the year. Various myths and legends refer to the birthstones’ healing powers and therapeutic effects. However in modern times, it makes the selection of jewellery much simpler when personalizing a gift.

 

For those born in April, they enjoy probably the world’s most popular and prestigious precious gemstone – diamond.

 

Regarded as the “King of all birthstones”, diamonds derived their name from the Greek word “adamas” meaning invincible.

 

The splendour of diamonds has been appreciated for centuries.

Believed to have magical powers, the history of diamonds reveals that people though lightning bolts created diamonds, while other lore conveys that diamonds were the tears of gods.

 

Diamonds are the hardest, most durable of all gemstones, composed of a single element, carbon. It forms deep within the earth under tremendous heat and pressure.

 

Diamonds come in a wide variety of colours ranging from yellow, pink, orange, red, brown, green, blue and black. The colour is determined by the type of impurities within the stone, and range in colour density from faint to intense. As ever, the deeper the colour, the higher the value.

 

In recent years fancy-colour diamonds have become popular. Often these diamonds have undergone colour treatments in laboratories to introduce the colour.

 

Every diamond is unique and depending upon the quality, can be expensive. It wasn’t until the 1950’s, that the GIA (Gemology Institute of America) introduced universal standards for assessing the quality of diamonds, therefore protecting the consumer, and educating them when making a purchase/investment.

 

It is now commonplace to hear reference to the accepted standard for describing diamonds: Colour, Cut, Clarity and Carat.

 

According to Marilyn Monroe – “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend” and DeBeers promote, “A Diamond Is Forever”, no doubt both statements will remain in place for centuries to come.

 

Sources: americangemsociety.org, gia.edu, 4cs.gia.edu