The April birthstone is diamond. Made almost entirely of carbon, it is the hardest natural gem, rating 10 on the Mohs scale, and its name comes from the Greek adamas, "unbreakable." Most diamonds in jewelry are colorless, but colored diamonds exist too, the deep blue Hope diamond among them. By tradition diamond stands for lasting love and strength.
What is the birthstone for April?
Diamond is the only April birthstone on the American list used by Jewelers of America and the American Gem Society, and it has held the month since the list was standardized in 1912.
In Britain diamond is the April stone too. The National Association of Jewellers adds clear quartz, also known as rock crystal, as an alternative: a colorless stone that gives a similar look at a small fraction of the price, though it is far softer.
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What does diamond mean?
Diamond's meaning follows from its hardness. A stone that can only be scratched by another diamond became a natural symbol of things that last.
- Lasting love. The first recorded diamond engagement ring was given by Archduke Maximilian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy in 1477. Today the diamond ring is a near-universal sign of engagement.
- Strength. The Greek adamas means "invincible" or "unbreakable."
- Protection. An ancient poet claimed diamond warded off the evil eye. In later centuries it was credited with healing powers, called an antidote to poison and worn as a charm against the plague.
Those protective and healing powers are history, not fact: a diamond cannot cure or prevent anything. The symbolism of love and endurance is the part that has lasted.
What color is the April birthstone?
The color linked with April is clear, or white. A diamond is typically about 99.95 percent carbon, and the purest stones are colorless. Tiny amounts of other elements can tint the crystal, which is why diamonds also occur in color. The best-known colored diamond is the Hope, a 45.52-carat deep blue stone believed to have come from India's Golconda mining area.
When jewelers describe a diamond's quality they use the "4Cs": color, clarity, cut and carat weight, a grading system developed by the Gemological Institute of America.
Natural or lab-grown?
Diamonds can now be grown in a laboratory. A laboratory-grown diamond has the same crystal structure of bonded carbon atoms as a mined one and nearly the same chemical, optical and physical properties. To the eye the two can look identical; laboratories tell them apart with instruments.
- Lab-grown diamonds are made by one of two methods, known as HPHT and CVD.
- Colorless lab-grown stones have been sold in commercial quantities since the mid-2010s.
- A lab-grown diamond must be described as such when sold. Check that the grading report says which kind you are buying.
Do not confuse either with imitations such as cubic zirconia or clear quartz, which only look like diamond.
Where diamonds come from
The earliest diamonds were gathered from rivers and streams in India and were traded as early as the fourth century BCE. Brazil took over as the main source in the early 1700s. The modern industry began with discoveries near Kimberley, South Africa, in the late 1860s; the largest diamond ever found, the 3,106-carat Cullinan, came from a South African mine in 1905.
Today diamonds are mined in Botswana, Russia, Canada, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other countries. Because diamonds have funded armed conflicts, governments set up the Kimberley Process, an international scheme that certifies shipments of rough diamonds to keep conflict stones out of legitimate trade. It is reasonable to ask a jeweler where a stone comes from.
How to care for diamond jewelry
Diamond is the most durable gem, so it suits rings worn every day. It still needs cleaning, because skin oils and soap film dull it quickly.
- Wash it in warm water with mild soap and scrub gently with a soft toothbrush, especially under the stone. A lint-free cloth or a commercial jewelry cleaner also works.
- Use an ultrasonic cleaner with care. It is usually fine, but not for a diamond with many inclusions or one that has been treated.
- Store diamonds separately. They will scratch every other gem, and each other.
- Have the setting checked by a jeweler from time to time. A diamond is more likely to be lost from a worn prong than to be damaged.
Diamond gift ideas for an April birthday
- Stud earrings are the classic first diamond and suit every age.
- A solitaire pendant on a fine chain works for daily wear.
- Small stones, big effect. A band or cluster of tiny diamonds costs much less than a single large stone of the same total weight.
- Natural or lab-grown. Decide which you want first, then compare stones of the same kind.
- Color. A colored diamond makes a less expected birthday gift.
- The alternative. Rock crystal offers the clear look at a modest price.
Diamond also marks the 60th and 75th wedding anniversaries; see our guide to gifts for every wedding anniversary.
April birth flowers: daisy and sweet pea
April's birth flowers are the daisy and the sweet pea. In the traditional language of flowers the daisy stands for innocence, purity and true love, and the sweet pea for gratitude, friendship and a fond farewell. A handful of white daisies suits the clear sparkle of a diamond, while scented sweet peas add color. As with the stones, the meanings are inherited custom, and personal taste matters more. Every month's pair is in our guide to birth flowers by month.
Before April comes March, with aquamarine and bloodstone; after it, May and its emerald. The whole year is laid out in birthstones by month.