Birthstone Articles
April’s Brilliance: Dazzling Diamonds
The diamond’s claim to fame outshines every other gemstone. From ancient times, it’s been associated with strength and beauty. People have decorated themselves with diamonds in handcrafted and beaded jewelry, and used them for more spiritual purposes, for thousands of years.
The word “diamond” is derived from the Greek “adamas,”which means unconquered or invincible. Diamond is the hardest substance on earth, and is made of carbon–one of the primary elements necessary for life. They’re so hard that the only way they can be cut or polished is by using other diamonds!
Dazzling Diamonds for April
Diamonds have delighted women and poets for centuries. They are the most revered, most praised, of gemstones. Diamonds are the traditional birthstone for April. Although they come in many colors, clear or white diamonds are the most popular variety. Most people would agree with poet Anne Sexton's description of "diamond as white as sun on the sea."
"I have always felt a gift diamond shines so much better than one you buy for yourself." ~ Mae West
That attitude may have made sense when Mae West was filming black and white movies, but today, there's nothing wrong with a woman buying herself jewelry. After all, who knows your taste better than you?
Diamonds Make the Month of April Shine
April’s Birthstone: Diamond Showers and Spring Flowers
April showers bring May flowers, so what better birthstone than diamond to represent that glistening awakening? Like nourishing raindrops on a sunny day, clear diamonds cast dazzling rainbows whenever exposed to the sun.
In fact, it was once believed that diamonds were made by the very rainstorms which loosened them from their deposits and swept them into riverbeds. The ancients who found diamonds washed ashore likened them to the tears of the gods, fallen stars. Some even believed that diamond gemstones were the physical manifestation of lightning bolts.