Deemed as the King of all birthstones, the Diamond is the traditional birthstone of April and holds significant meaning for those born in that month - thought to provide the wearer with better relationships and an increase in inner strength. Wearing diamonds is purported to bring other benefits such as balance, clarity and abundance. It's also symbolic of eternal love.
Diamond was named from the Greek word Adamus, meaning unconquerable. Its supreme hardness combined with exceptional “adamantine” luster and dispersion gives diamond the lasting fiery brilliance for which it is prized.
Diamond is the hardest substance known to man - it is a 10 on the Mohs scale - and is exponentially harder than Corundum (sapphire, ruby) - a 9 on the Mohs scale. Only a Diamond can cut another Diamond. It is important to know the four C’s when purchasing a Diamond:
Color: Although there are rare “fancy colors” such as pink, green and blue, most Diamonds contain a tinge of yellow (also gray or brown). Diamonds are color graded starting a D which is colorless, all the way down to Z, which becomes a fancy Canary Yellow. “Cognac” and “Chocolate” colors are also now becoming popular.
Clarity: Diamonds can be flawless, Internally flawless, to VVS1 and 2 (literally very very slightly included), VS1 & 2 (very slightly), SI 1, 2 & 3, and I 1, 2, & 3 (I3 can look like crushed glass).
Cut: A round brilliant cut is the most common cut for a Diamond, but there are many other fancy shape cuts i.e. pear-shape, marquise, etc. There are also now many brand name cuts such as “Hearts on fire” which promises the most perfect cut for the most brilliance. A stone that deviates too much from an “ideal cut” can result in the loss of brilliance and dispersion of colors. A stone that is cut too deep can appear dark - if it’s cut too shallow, a stone can appear watery.
Carat: A carat is a weight measurement, not a size measurement, although three different diamonds weighing a carat each can look like three different sizes, depending on the cut. There are 100 points in a carat, so for example, a quarter carat diamond is 25 points.
A symbol of purity, the Diamond’s pure white light helps to bring our lives into a cohesive whole. It brings love and clarity into partnerships, bonding relationships. Diamond is a sign of commitment and fidelity, and instills trust to relationships and situations.
Specific colors have additional attributes:
Yellow Diamond: Makes us more considerate and thoughtful.
Blue Diamond: Strengthens willpower and inspires us to take better care of our health.
Pink Diamond: Used for creative expression. Black Diamond: Gives us courage to look within without illusion.
*PHOTO* 507 carats: The rough white diamond discovered in South Africa's famous Cullinan mine.