Diamond is the birthstone for April. It also happens to be my birthstone which I very happy about! Diamonds are a gemstone synonymous with endurance, clarity, and brilliant fire. It is the hardest natural mineral on Earth, formed under immense pressure over billions of years.
But beyond its brilliance and bridal associations, diamond carries a far older story – one shaped by empires, mythology and human fascination.
For those born in April like me, diamond is not simply about sparkle. It’s about resilience.
A diamond is pure carbon crystallised under extreme heat and pressure deep within the Earth’s mantle. Most natural diamonds formed between 1 and 3 billion years ago before being carried closer to the surface by volcanic eruptions.
Its internal structure gives it exceptional hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), remarkable durability, and the ability to reflect and disperse light — creating brilliance and fire.
This strength is why diamonds became enduring symbols of protection and permanence.
Diamonds were first mined in India over 2,000 years ago, where they were valued not only for beauty but for their supposed protective qualities.
In the 18th century, discoveries in Brazil shifted the global trade. Later finds in South Africa transformed diamonds into powerful symbols of wealth and status. The original De Beers mine was discovered in May 1871 on the farm of Johannes and Diederick de Beer.
By the 20th century, marketing by De Beers firmly positioned diamonds as the emblem of romantic commitment — a narrative that still shapes modern jewellery traditions.
Although they cannot claim to be the first person who used a diamond in an engagement ring, they can claim to have started the craze for it’s popularity with their “A Diamonds Is Forever” strap line.
Did you know…
Archduke Maximilian of Austria is widely credited with offering the first recorded diamond engagement ring to Mary of Burgundy in 1477.
The ring was a gold band set with thin, flat diamonds in the shape of a Gothic letter “M”.
However, the first documented diamond betrothal ring was actually 2 years before at the Italian wedding of Costanzo Sforza and Camilla D’Aragona.
In ancient Greece, the word “adamas” meant unconquerable — the root of the modern word diamond.
In India, diamonds were believed to offer protection and clarity — but only if worn by the right person. Worn by the wrong one, they were thought to bring misfortune.
Across cultures, diamonds were described as fragments of fallen stars — stones of light formed in darkness. I personally love this analogy, and it reminds me of the film ‘Stardust’ with Claire Danes and Charlie Cox.
Diamonds form deep within the Earth and reach the surface through volcanic events. Some diamonds can be found in rivers, and these are referred to as alluvial deposits.
Historically, the Golconda region of India produced some of the most famous diamonds ever recorded such as the Hope Diamond (more on that later). Brazil became a major source in the 1700s, followed by South Africa after significant discoveries in 1867.
Today, diamonds are mined in Russia, Canada, Botswana and Australia, among others. Each region produces stones with distinct characteristics — from icy colourless gems to rare ‘fancy’ (coloured stones) shades.
Some diamonds have entered royal collections quietly while. Others changed hands through conquest and political upheaval. In certain cases, the story of where a diamond was found cannot be separated from what happened after it was won.
There are several diamonds that have alleged bad luck and misfortune associated with them.
The Hope Diamond is perhaps the most infamous example — long associated with misfortune among its owners.
The Koh-i-Noor has also carried a turbulent history, tied to empire and political conflict.
The Moon of Baroda – a stunning yellow diamond linked to Marilyn Monroe
Whether coincidence or folklore, these legends are a fascinating read. I’ve already written a blog about cursed diamonds last year, so I won’t go over the same ground here.
💎 Diamonds symbolise strength, longevity, and commitment, making them ideal for engagement rings.
💎 Diamonds provide mental clarity, increase confidence, promote emotional balance, clear emotional and mental pain, stimulate creativity, and support spiritual evolution and enlightenment.
💎 Diamonds bring abundance, fearlessness, and spiritual enlightenment.
💎 Diamonds purify the body, detoxifying, boosting energy levels, and supporting healthy metabolism, alleviates dizziness and vertigo, and benefits brain function.
💎 Diamonds enhance the effects of other crystals as they are a powerful energy amplifier and they protect against electromagnetic stress.
Chakra: Crown Chakra
Birthstone: April
Zodiac: Aries, Taurus, Leo
Planet: Venus
The grading system developed by the Gemological Institute of America evaluates diamonds using four criteria. These measures assess quality and value. The four C’s are the internationally accepted standard for evaluating a diamond’s quality as follows.
Cut – How well the stone reflects light.
Colour – Graded from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown).
Clarity – Natural internal inclusions or surface marks.
Carat – The stone’s weight.
A diamond doesn’t have to score highly in all 4 areas to be the most expensive. Often some diamonds have inclusions but are curt well to hide them and it doesn’t ring true that the larger the stone the more expensive it is either.
Today, many buyers want to understand where their diamonds come from.
The Kimberley Process was introduced to reduce the trade in conflict diamonds. There is also growing interest in responsibly sourced natural stones, traceable Canadian diamonds, recycled or antique gems, and laboratory-grown alternatives.
Choosing a diamond now often involves balancing beauty, history and personal values.
Whether a diamond is formed under intense pressure within the layers of the Earth over billions of years or in a laboratory over a period of weeks, they are the same material. Both are made of carbon, both are sparkly. The difference is the story and the price.
Laboratory diamonds are usually cheaper per carat however they don’t have the mystical story behind them that natural diamonds do. Ultimately it’s down to personal preference.
While most associated with engagement rings, diamonds have long been worn as talismans and symbols of strength.
In contemporary jewellery, diamonds can be minimal, raw, antique-cut or quietly unconventional.
I personally am a fan of salt and pepper diamonds. These stones have inclusions of primarily black (graphite/carbon) and white (structural cracks, feathers, or minerals) which gives the stone a grey appearance.
Also brown diamonds have recently been promoted by companies as Champagne or Chocolate to give these once rejected gems a new appeal.
April sits between seasons. It’s Spring but there are often (April) showers although as it’s my birthday I can remember all weathers, it even snowed once!
Diamond mirrors that process. Formed in darkness. Shaped by pressure. Revealed in brilliance.
I currently don’t have any gemstone jewellery pieces that contain diamonds but I would LOVE to start making some. If you’d like to commission and piece do get in touch with me.
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