The April birthstone, like those who are born in April, is a clear, strong, impressive gem with a classic sparkle: the diamond. They grab your attention on all occasions; when polished and cared for properly, diamonds become something extremely valuable and completely unique.
Diamonds are graded by jewelers and connoisseurs on 4 values, known as the "Four C's": cut, color, clarity, and carat.
The color of the diamond varies from white to black, including colorless, pink, yellow, red, blue, gray or salt and pepper diamond. Among all of them, colorless ones are particularly preferred.
The variations in color are a result of inclusions in the diamond's structure. This is the main reason why many diamonds are yellowish.
Image: GIA.
They can be transparent, translucent, or opaque.
The clarity of a diamond is its transparency or the ease of looking completely through the gem, also a result of the lack of inclusions in the diamond.
Finally, the carat - the size of the gem - determines its final grading score, and different carats suit different settings and tastes.
The allure of a diamond, from antiquity to present, is that a diamond is “forever”. Diamonds found on earth are typically aged from one to three billion years.
Ancient Romans believed that wearing a diamond on the left hand could ward off evil powers and bring victory and good fortune to the owner. That's when they began to use diamonds in wedding rings.
Besides their mystical uses, diamonds are widely known as the hardest material ever discovered by humans, and subsequently, the diamond symbolizes the unbreakable bond.
While diamonds symbolize everlasting love, this gem has many other meanings besides unity. By proudly wearing diamond jewelry, you can tap into unseen courage and strength you may not have known you had.
Diamond jewelry is a famous symbol of love and romantic commitment. Although their beauty and rarity make them monetarily valuable, the sparkle of a diamond is reminiscent of true love shining bright during times of adversity.
No matter the circumstances, a partnership built upon a strong foundation of friendship and trust will withstand the test of time, just like the strength of diamonds.
Many cultures worldwide consider diamonds powerful symbols of good luck and prosperity. While diamonds are often associated with wealth and social status, many believe they can bring luck and strength while protecting people from harm. Diamonds can also attract wealth and professional opportunities.
Some believe diamonds have the potential to cure various health problems and heal vital organs, especially the heart and the brain.
A diamond's vibrations give off a positive aura throughout the body and protect the wearer from bad dreams, depression and even strokes. They can also calm the nervous system and bring inner peace to an overactive mind.
Some wear diamonds to symbolize invincibility and courage. Because they are so durable, diamonds can inspire inner fortitude and strength, allowing the wearer to rise above any challenges ahead.
Additionally, diamonds promote clarity, allowing one to think creatively and discover workable solutions for life's problems.
Diamonds are some of the most beloved gemstones for many reasons.
They are well known for their ability to ground and connect the wearer to the earth. They also possess spiritual qualities and are thought to represent divine forces.
Diamonds have the highest vibration of all stones and align with the crown chakra, which is located on your forehead. Their clear color can connect you to infinite consciousness and higher realms.
Diamonds radiate with brightness and promote a harmonious energy flow throughout your body. By aligning your chakra with the help of diamonds and other stones, you'll benefit from the positive energy it releases as it supports your journey toward realizing your dreams.
Birthstone jewelry, such as earrings, rings and necklaces, can personalize your connection with each stone's unique meanings. This type of jewelry remains popular because it serves as a beautiful reminder to shift negative thoughts into positive ones.
As positive energy flows, it can manifest good feelings as you interact with others throughout your day.
Some people are very sentimental about their birthstones, as they serve as tangible symbols of their own special qualities during times of difficulty.
Diamonds are exquisite gems known for their brilliance and timeless beauty. Whether you prefer to wear them as birthstone jewelry or use them to stimulate your creativity and open your chakra, diamonds possess great power, and you should always handle them with care.
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Diamond mining is a hot topic in news, and has been for decades; this is primarily due to the unethical sourcing of diamonds (also called "blood diamonds" or "conflict diamonds") in areas afflicted by war.
These conflict diamonds are often used to fund violent activities in regions like Sierra Leone, Angola, Ivory Coast, and Guinea.
While it is estimated that ninety-nine percent of diamonds on the market are conflict-free (and many have a pedigree to certify this), a lot of diamond buyers prefer to source their jewelry secondhand or from laboratories.
Synthetic diamonds are a popular alternative to traditional, natural diamonds for those concerned with fair trade sourcing and ethical consumption.
Even though synthetic diamonds are generated in a lab under artificial conditions, they are indistinguishable from natural diamonds without the aid of an experienced jeweler.
In general, lab-created diamonds tend to be less expensive than naturally-mined stones. Furthermore, lab-created diamonds can be altered to ensure certain outcomes – for example, a perfectly pink diamond.
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Apart from lab-created diamonds, moissanite stones are also an excellent alternative.
Moissanite is the gemstone most similar to the natural diamond. Its appearance and physical properties are so similar to those of a natural diamond that it is difficult to distinguish with the naked eye.
In addition, moissanite shines brighter and has a more stunning fire than diamond, while costing 1/10th of the price of the latter.
Cubic zirconia is an artificial stone that is commonly used as an inexpensive diamond alternative.
Since it is a diamonond simulant, some people mistakenly think cubic zirconia is the same as a lab-grown diamond. However, lab-grown diamonds are chemically and structurally the same as natural diamonds.
Cubic zirconia is very affordable, but it is less durable than diamond. That means that it can scratch or chip over time. That being said, it is common and popular enough that you can find it in virtually any cut.
If you want a natural stone that is still inexpensive, quartz is a good choice, as it's the least expensive alternative.
That being said, it's very easy to distinguish white quartz from a diamond. It's a great stone on its own merit, but it isn't the best diamond substitute. As a result, it's not a popular diamond alternative.
Quartz is not as durable as diamond, so it may not be the best choice if you need a durable stone. Its relative softness also limits the variety of cuts you can find.
Many people don't know this, but pure natural sapphires are actually white. If you're interested in a beautiful natural stone as a diamond alternative, they're a great choice.
That being said, they don't mimic diamonds as closely as some other alternatives on the list.
While diamonds have a clear sparkle, white sapphires have more of a glowy appearance. Some people prefer this look, and white sapphires are lovely stones in their own right.
However, since they are almost as durable as diamonds, white sapphires can be cut in the same or similar ways.
These stones are extremely rare in the natural world. But that doesn't mean you won't be able to find one; white sapphires can be created in the lab as well.
Despite diamonds being tougher than anything else in the world, they are still a piece of luxury jewelry and should be treated with care.
Now and again, show your gemstone some love by cleaning it in a bowl of warm water with a few drops of dish detergent and a soft toothbrush. Removing any dirt is essential to keeping your jewel sparkling.
Your diamond might be tough, but its setting might not be – make sure to regularly check the security of the prongs that are holding the gemstones. This needs to be done about once a year and should only take you a few minutes.
