Source: https://yourbirthstones.com/april-birthstone/
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, as the saying goes, but there is more about diamonds that we should know. While diamonds are lovely and cute, it can tear a sturdy glass with just one slice. Things you might not know about diamonds might be here. Read more and you’ll find out the essence of a diamond.
The April birthstone diamond is categorized according to the “Four C’s”. The “Four C’s” refer to its color, cut, clarity and carat. Diamonds serve a variety of purpose as jewelry. It gives a sophisticated look for elegant dresses and occasions. Also, it is the preferred gemstone for engagement and wedding rings as a symbol of indestructible love. The color of the diamond as referred is one of the factors that determine its value. The scale for diamonds varies from D for colorless to Z for light yellow. According to the Moh’s hardness scale, (with 10 as the one with highest resistance and 1 as the lowest) the April birthstone diamond scored 10 since it is the most durable gemstone in the world. Also, the Moh’s scale was based on diamonds durability.
Diamond- The Unconquerable Gemstone of Love
Diamond is the most prized gemstone to wear for those who are born in April. Mostly it is in white, crystal, and sparkling appearances. It is a symbol of love. Diamond is the toughest gemstone and mostly composed of carbon as its element. It can be cut and shaped only by using another diamond.
Meaning and History of Diamond
The oldest diamond was first found in India in the fourth century BC. Diamonds are formed due to extremely high temperatures and pressure conditions continuing for millions of years in the deep earth core. The volcanic eruptions bring them to the surface of the earth. The diamonds brought up by these eruptions are not enough to offer any commercial value. However, they provide enough evidence to prompt excavators to mine in that zone to get large quantities of diamonds.
As mentioned, the name diamond is derived from the Greek word ‘Adamas’ which literally means ‘unconquerable’.
Diamond is considered to be one of the most precious and beautiful gemstones found on earth. It symbolizes love, romance, and happiness. The value and significance of diamonds have been noted in the Sanskrit text from 400 BC. From ancient times the trade of diamonds was the main source of income and profit for the traders. Diamonds denoted the wealth and prosperity of a country.
Indian diamonds were the main point of attraction among the medieval period traders. In the late 1400 century, Indian diamonds ruled the European market and this gemstone became the major parameter to determine the wealth and prosperity of the country. But during the beginning of 1700, the diamond from India started to deteriorate gradually and Brazil began to dominate the market. Brazil became the largest source of diamond producers and ruled the European market for over 150 years before Russia replaced it from the top position of being the largest diamond supplier in the world.
Availability and Consumption of Diamond
The diamond represents eternal love and peace. However, it is ironic that the citizens of the largest diamond producing countries do not use diamonds as much as other countries.
- The leading consumers of diamond jewelry are the United States, India, China, the European Union, Japan, Hong Kong, and the Middle East.
- But these countries are the least producers of natural diamonds.
- According to the latest data, the United States is the largest consumer of diamonds. It consumes 40% of the diamonds consumed all over the world.
- For over one and a half-century, good quality diamonds are being sourced from the mines of Africa.
- In recent times, the demand for diamonds has increased and more and more countries have started mining the diamond.
- The top seven countries that have been producing the world’s top-class diamonds for more than a decade are Russia, Botswana, Canada, Angola, Republic of South Africa, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Namibia.
- These countries produce over one million-carat diamonds every year.
- Apart from these countries, some of the other diamond producing countries include Australia, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe.
The Leading Producers of Diamonds in The World
Russia
Russia is the largest producer of diamonds in the world and holds the top position for over a decade. The first excavation for diamond was held in Russia in the early 18th century. The first recorded mining was in 1957 from the Mir Kimberlite pipe and its adjacent areas. A large concentration of diamondiferous pipes and alluvial deposits help to mine diamonds in these areas.
Botswana
It was one of the first areas to identify a bulk amount of diamond deposits present in a hard geographical area. Excavation started in the 1950s and mining started in 1972. During the late 1980s, Botswana was one of the world’s largest producers of diamonds.
Canada
During the early period, it was difficult to discover the presence of diamond deposits in Canadian soil. This is due to the geographical area of Canada with hard rocks and Canadian shield. But during the beginning of 1991, it was discovered that Kimberlite pipe with diamond deposits are situated 200 miles north of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The exploration started in 1998 and within five years, Canada became one of the leading producers of diamonds in the world.
Angola
Angola started mining diamonds during the Portuguese colonial rule and continued it for several hundred years to come. During that time the mined diamonds were traded in the European market by the Portuguese traders.
In the present time, due to the large deposit of alluvial diamonds and several diamond pipes, Angola has become one of the largest producers of diamonds. Diamond trading is one of the largest contributors to Angola’s national economy.
South Africa
South Africa is considered to be the largest producer of high-quality diamonds with several diamond mines. It is also known as the birthplace of diamond industries. From the early 1870s, the mining started in several diamond pipes near the city of Kimberley.
Namibia
The exploration of diamonds started in Namibia in 1908. A vast deposit of alluvial diamonds was discovered in the soil of Namibia. During the time of the First World War, more mines started to explore diamonds. Now offshore mining of diamonds is also progressing in Namibia. The offshore diamonds are of exceptional quality. They have helped tremendously in increasing the mining of diamonds in Namibia and make it one of the largest producers of diamonds in the world.
Australia
Australia started mining diamonds in 1981 and within no time, it became one of the largest producers of diamonds in the world. They were able to maintain the high production levels of diamonds for more than ten years. However, during the past few years, the production has fallen considerably due to the depletion of diamonds caused by excessive mining.
Supposed Benefits of Diamonds
Diamond is considered a beautiful and glittering gemstone. Those who wear this stone get natural beauty, improved health, the coolness of mind, good fortune, success in career, wealth, social reputation and fame, and happy marital life. In Indian mythology, it is believed that Venus (Shukra) is the ruling planet of the stone diamond. Venus is a bright planet so its Ratna also possesses the same characteristics as Venus.
World Famous Diamonds
Koh-i-Noor Diamond
It is considered a world-famous diamond due to its beauty, shining, and above all, its high value and cost. It is also known as the ‘Mountain of Light’. Due to its rare cutting style, size, and its oval shape, it is a favorite gemstone of the royal families. It was adorned as the eye of the peacock over the peacock throne of Emperor Shah Jahan, the Mughal Emperor of India. It was also a piece of unavoidable jewelry in the reign of Queen Victoria and also adorned the British Crown.
The Cullinan
This is the largest diamond ever found. It is a rough gemstone, having an original weight of one and a half-pound. It can be cut to one major stone and 96 smaller stones.
The Great Mogul
It was first excavated in the mid of the seventeenth century. In history, it is recorded that its name came from the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan who was the architect of the wonder Taj Mahal. Now, this diamond is extinct from the world.
The Orloff
Its appearance was similar to that of the Great Mogul gemstone. Presently, it is kept in the Diamond Treasury in Moscow. According to a story, this stone was once set as an eye to the idol of God Sri Rangan in India and a French soldier came dressed up as a Hindu and stole the gemstone.
The Idol’s Eye
This stone also had adorned the eye of a Hindu idol before it went missing. For this reason, the stone is named ‘Idol’s eye’. There is another story about this stone. It is said that the Sheik of Kashmir gave this stone as a ransom to the Sultan of Turkey to release Princess Rasheeda.
The Regent
This gem has a lot of history to tell since it was first discovered in 1702 near Golconda. The British Prime Minister William Pitt once owned this diamond and cut it to a cushion shape to add more beauty. Later it was sold to the Duke of Orleans. In 1717, Louis XV the regent of France renamed it to ‘The Regent’ and set it to his crown during the coronation period. Napoleon Bonaparte had adorned the handle of his sword with this stone. And now it is displayed in the Louvre, Paris.
The Blue Hope
This is rather an infamous diamond. The Blue Hope was officially known as ‘ The Blue Diamond Of the Crown’. The diamond got its name from Henry Philip Hope who brought this stone from London in 1830. But this diamond brought bad luck and grievances to the Hope family. The whole family died of poverty. Later it was bought by another person who faced a similar fate. So this stone is also called ‘ the curse in gemstone’. Presently, this diamond is kept in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.
The Sancy
This stone is named after Seigneur de Sancy, who was once the French ambassador to Turkey. Later he mortgaged it to French king Henry III who used it to hide his baldness and wore it as a cap. Later it was bought by the last Stuart King of England and taken to Paris. During the time of the French Revolution, this stone disappeared, never to be found again.
Taylor-Burton
It was named after Richard Burton who brought this gem for Elizabeth Taylor. This gem was made public for the first time in Monaco when Elizabeth Taylor wore it as a pendant. But later she sold the gemstone to a merchant. This stone has been reported to be lost in Saudi Arabia.
Hortensia
This peach color diamond was named after Hortense de Beauharnais, the Queen of Holland, and the stepdaughter of Napoleon Bonaparte. Presently, it is displayed along with The Regent at Louvre, Paris.
Who should wear the Diamond Gemstone?
Diamond is considered to be precious and one of the most expensive gemstones. Diamond has the power to receive the cosmic waves present in nature and reflect its power to the body of the wearer. That is the reason why diamond is adorned by rulers, queens, celebrities, famous personalities, etc.
In astrological belief, a diamond is the gemstone of Venus (Shukra) and to please the planet it is good to wear diamonds. Diamond is the birthstone of April. It will give good fortune to those who are born in April. If you belong to the Zodiac sign Virgo and Libra you can wear the diamond. The gemstone will bring you good luck and prosperity.
How to wear Diamonds according to astrology?
Venus (Shukra) is the ruling planet of a diamond that is ruled by white color. Therefore white is the most suitable color to get the maximum astrological benefits of the diamond. It should be worn with a gold or silver fix on it. A diamond with white and black spots inside it offers maximum benefits.
To get the best results astrologers suggest wearing it on Friday morning (the day of Lord Venus) from 5 am to 7 am during the waxing moon period. Now as Venus or Shukra is the deity of diamond stone it is advised to pray to Shukra deva (Venus) for his blessings before you wear it. Dip it in pure water or cow milk for 5 minutes to purify it before wearing it. Wear it on the small finger of your right hand.
What are the alternative gemstones to Diamonds?
Some of the gemstones possess some of the characteristics and appearance of diamonds. They will not have all the characteristics of a diamond, however, will satisfy the buyers with their attractive appearance at affordable prices.
Moissanite
It gets its name from a French scientist Henry Moissan who first discovered it in 1893. During the time of discovery, it was believed that it was a diamond but on later research, it was found that it was composed of silicon carbide. In the present time, it is used as an alternative for diamonds. When it is transformed into a ring it just looks like a stunning white diamond.
Sapphire
Sapphire was used as engagement rings before diamonds. Its royal blue color gives it a stunning look. Apart from blue, it is available in peach, pink, yellow and white. It is also an ornament that can be worn for daily use. Its beauty and dazzling color make it an alternative for a diamond in engagement rings.
Aquamarine
It is a semi-precious gemstone with a pale blue color. It belongs to the family of emeralds. Its color makes it look gorgeous as engagement rings.
Morganite
It appears in pink to peach color variance. It has a dazzling clarity when it is combined with rose gold and gives you a cool look.
Emerald
The gemstone has a lot of history. It appears in a green hue offering an attractive and pleasing look when used as an engagement ring.
How to take care of Diamonds?
Diamond is the hardest of anything on the earth. However, it also needs care to keep it shiny and beautiful.
The beauty of the diamond is in its shining. It shines when light passes through it. Dirt, sweat, and oil can block the passage of light. So, it is important to clean your diamond regularly to keep it glittering. Following important tips will help you keep your diamond sparkingly clean at all times.
- Do not use a toothbrush or any hash material to clean your diamond
- Soak it in soap water and gently rub with a soft cloth.
- Make it a habit to clean your diamond once every week.
- Keep it in an airtight box after cleaning.
Jewelry made of Diamonds
Nowadays, it is very common to use diamond jewelry. Almost all types of jewelry are made of diamonds. Some of the notable ones include,
- Diamond Necklace
- Diamond Rings
- Diamond Pendant
- Diamond Bangle
- Diamond Earrings.
Diamonds – Buying Guide
Buying a good quality genuine diamond is not easy. You should be very careful while buying diamonds as many spurious sellers are offering inferior quality diamonds, as well. The following are some of the factors to consider while selecting the diamond.
Shape
Most of us prefer round shaped diamonds. However, there are several other highly attractive shapes of diamonds available in the market including oval, rectangle, quadrilateral, etc. You can choose the shape as per your preference.
Carat
Diamond is measured with carat weight. 1 carat is ⅕ of a gram. The price of the diamond increases with its carat weight.
Clarity
Diamonds come in a variety of clarity grades. To get the best diamond you should not compromise with the clarity grade of the gemstone.
Where to buy April Birthstones?
Birthstone possesses some positive energy and vibrations. You cannot buy it from any local store. There are some approved retailers for selling this birthstone. To buy good quality diamonds, you can select the most genuine retailers like James Allen, Blue Nile, Amazon, Whiteflash, Ritani, Zales, Kay, Clean Origin, and Jared, etc. All these retailers allow you to replace or return the diamond jewelry within 30 days from the date of purchasing the jewelry.
Final Words
With a lot of breakthroughs in technology, these innovations opened its doors to the creation of synthetic diamonds that has the same molecular structure as compared with the original diamond. These innovations provide good alternatives for the real diamond that in return saves our environment from further damage.