Diamond: The Top Features of the April Birthstone

Diamonds! What more can be said about what is arguably the most popular gemstone in the world? Diamonds in fact are the most popular gemstone if one considers the top fine jewellery options in the market: diamonds, virtually across the board are the top choice for engagement rings, fine necklaces and top-of-the-line gemstone earrings.

So when it comes to diamonds, as a diamond jewellery buyer, or as someone who is interested in learning more about this famous gemstone, there is the tendency to think, ‘I already know most or even everything there is to know about this famous gem’. But is that true though? How much do you know about the April birthstone?

In this Education page, we will seek to clarify the key features of this top gemstone and explain new ways in which diamonds can become part of your jewellery collection or as a special gemstone.

What are Diamonds?

This might be a generic question, one that has been answered a million times over. What makes a diamond a diamond?! This might be true, but given what we have set out to do: to explain the top features of the April birthstone, it is important that we start out by outlining the core features of diamonds.

Diamonds are carbon-based gemstones. Hence their chemical character is identified by the simple C. This means they differ from a majority of types of precious gems that are made of materials silica, corundum or beryl. However, it is not just hardened carbon that defines diamonds, to understand what makes carbon into diamonds one must look deeper. Starting with its origins.

Diamond Origins

The development of diamonds is interesting. Diamonds form deep within Earth’s surface. And here we are talking about hundreds of miles beneath the surface, where the temperature is immensely hot in environments characterised by immense pressure. Carbon atoms when subject to these effects over a long period of time which could be anywhere from tens to hundreds of millions of years depending on the specific diamond source in question-undergo a number of changes, notable formation of distinct bonds of carbon atoms (known as covalent bonds), which makes the material incredibly hard and durable.

Since diamonds are formed deep beneath the Earth’s surface, access to these carbon stones in the regions of their development is almost impossible. The diamond mines from which these stones are sourced are reliant on volcanic activity, which is able to push up rock formations that contain diamonds (known as mantle) nearer to the surface. The subject of diamond mining is an expansive subject which we have engaged in a dedicated Education page that we will encourage you to check out.

Returning to the subject at hand, on the top features of diamonds, one of its main strengths is its longevity, which is why diamonds are known to be ‘forever’. And with good reason. It is no coincidence that diamonds are considered to be among the (if not the) hardest natural materials in the world. And this combined with amazing glow and brilliance makes them a natural choice for jewellery buyers.

What Sets Diamonds Apart

Right, so we are getting to the heart of the matter: what makes diamonds special? In addition to being immensely rare in nature (since we are not talking about man-made or lab-grown diamonds) diamonds are valued for their immense durability, as among the hardest natural materials in the world, scoring a solid 10.0 on the Mohs scale for hardness.

The Mohs scale measures the hardness of materials, and the number 10.0 is the highest, and for the record is considerably harder than those who come in just one point lower. So diamonds are much harder and more durable than sapphires and rubies which score 9.0 on the Mohs scale for hardness.

When it comes to diamonds what sets them apart is their pedigree. Diamonds are arguably the best-recognised gemstone in the world. This is due to a number of factors. Diamonds have been in use for thousands of years, with their earliest adoption going back hundreds of years before AD to ancient India.

During ancient times modern mining techniques which are needed to source diamonds, not to mention the difficult cutting and polishing process, meant that authentic diamonds were in short supply. But they were recognised for their distinct qualities: their hardness, the unmistakable glitter. The history of diamond use is another expansive subject, one that we have also engaged in one of our Education pages. For now, it suffices to say that diamonds have been almost universally recognised by cultures as far apart as Europe, China, India and in case we miss ancient Egypt.

Diamond Quality Factors

When it comes to their wider adoption, diamonds’ beauty is based on their unbeatable glow, and great light reflective and refractive abilities. This again expands into the technical aspects of diamond quality: determined by the 4Cs: that measure the carat, cut, clarity and colour.

With respect to colour, diamonds are measured on the D – Z scale. Gemstones that lie closer to the D – H range are among the better types, owing to their lower colour content. Diamonds that fall closer to the Z level go down in value, with respect to their higher colour: which corresponds to light yellow to browner hues.

When it comes to diamond cuts, this opens the door to a host of quality factors that determine their value. Here are the variations between diamonds in terms of the clarity of the stone, which greatly affects the visual character of the stone and its market value. Here the quality of cuts ranges from IF (Internally Flawless) to I3 (Included) with a range of diamond clarity stones in between. Cut diamond buyers must pay attention to these factors, for unlike in other top gemstones, this degree of focus on and the type of classification is considerable. And buyers are advised to pay attention to them in making their choice.

However, there are also other diamond quality factors that pertain to cut stones such: as brilliance and scintillation. Diamonds in contrast to other top gemstones routinely come out on top. However, this greatly depends on the quality of the cut of the particular stone: on whether it is deep, shallow or ideal cut.

Diamond Symbolism and Meaning

When it comes to birthstones a great focus is naturally placed on the meaning and symbolism of the stone. Since birthstones are valued for the special connection that the wearer of the gemstone from the month of his/her birth stands to benefit from. When it comes to the meaning and symbolism that is associated with diamonds it is best to look at the ancient world, when these particular gemstones were first recognised. 

In ancient Egypt, diamonds were stones that were believed to hold mystical powers that empowered the wearer enhancing the wearer’s capacity for love and connecting them with the spiritual world. The Romans and Greeks recognised the value and hardness of diamonds connecting them literally and symbolically with durability and strength.

Following in this tradition, arguably the most powerful meaning of diamonds is their endurance. Diamonds in terms of age are in the tens to hundreds of millions of years, and are a natural choice for those who wish to seal their union with some solid, unchanging and beautiful. With great resale value, diamonds are made for endurance and symbolise longevity and endurance.

Diamond Engagement Rings

No dissuasion of diamonds as gemstones or as parts of fine jewellery is complete without engaging their dominance of the market for fine engagement rings. Diamond engagement rings are by far the most popular gemstone of choice when it comes to engagement rings and bridal jewellery in general. With respect to engagement rings, the diamond’s popularity is determined by historical factors.

The take-off of diamond mining in Africa, during the final decades of the colonial era, led contributed to global recognition of the beauty and potential of this gemstone for wider global adoption. Here the leadership of diamond mining giants like De Beers to push for wider adoption of diamonds was propelled by strategic marketing that made diamonds a natural choice for engagement rings. A position that it has held since that time, going to the early part of the 20th century.

Today diamond engagement rings are sought after owing to the wide range of ring designs that are available in the world. From fine jewellery companies to major diamond producers, top small and medium size gemstone and jewellery companies, many of them online place a premium focus on diamond engagement rings. Making gemstone rings under diamonds being the top choice in terms of band styles, gemstone placement, innovative craftsmanship and cutting. Diamond engagement rings remain the leader.