Diamonds: The April Birthstone of Light, Love, and Unbreakable Beauty
- Nicolette
- 2 hours ago
- 13 min read
Welcome to another sparkling edition of our gemstone series! Here at LetsGoWherever.com, we love exploring the natural wonders that make our world so beautiful.
Today, we're diving deep into the brilliant, dazzling world of the most famous gemstone on Earth; the diamond.
From ancient kings who wore them as talismans of invincibility to modern couples who exchange them as symbols of eternal love, diamonds have captivated humanity for thousands of years. And as the birthstone for April, they hold a special place in the hearts of those born in spring's most radiant month.
What is a Diamond?
A diamond is a crystal composed of pure carbon atoms arranged in a specific and extremely strong structure called a diamond cubic crystal lattice . This unique arrangement makes diamond the hardest naturally occurring material known to humanity. Its name comes from the ancient Greek word adamas, meaning "invincible" or "untameable" - a fitting description for a stone that can only be scratched by another diamond .
Diamonds are famous for their exceptional brilliance and fire. Brilliance refers to the white light reflected from the stone, while fire describes the flashes of spectral colors—reds, blues, greens, and yellows; that dance within a well-cut diamond as it catches the light. These optical properties, combined with their rarity and durability, have made diamonds the ultimate symbol of luxury, commitment, and enduring beauty.
The Science Behind the Beauty
Formation: Born Under Pressure
Diamonds are nature's ultimate expression of pressure and time. They form deep within the Earth's mantle, approximately 140 to 190 kilometers (87 to 118 miles) below the surface, under extreme conditions of heat and pressure . Temperatures must reach between 900°C and 1,300°C (1,650°F and 2,370°F) , and pressures must be around 45 to 60 kilobars—roughly 50,000 times atmospheric pressure at sea level .
Under these intense conditions, carbon atoms bond together in the unique crystal structure that gives diamonds their incredible hardness. This process takes time—lots of it. Most natural diamonds are between 1 billion and 3.5 billion years old, forming long before dinosaurs ever walked the Earth .
Diamonds are brought to the surface through rare, deep-source volcanic eruptions that create pipes of rock called kimberlite or lamproite. These eruptions are violent and fast, carrying diamonds from the mantle to the surface in a matter of hours . The last such eruption occurred millions of years ago, meaning no new diamonds are being delivered to the surface today.
Chemical Composition
At its most basic, a diamond is simply carbon; the same element that makes up graphite in pencils, the charcoal in your grill, and the basis of all organic life . The difference lies entirely in the arrangement of atoms. In diamond, each carbon atom forms strong covalent bonds with four neighboring atoms in a tetrahedral structure, creating an incredibly rigid three-dimensional network. In graphite, carbon atoms bond in flat sheets that slide past each other easily .
While pure diamonds are colorless, trace elements can introduce color. Nitrogen atoms, for example, can create yellow or brown diamonds, while boron produces rare and valuable blue diamonds . Other colors—like pink, red, green, and purple—are caused by structural distortions or radiation exposure during the diamond's journey to the surface .
Physical Properties
Diamonds possess an extraordinary combination of physical properties that make them unique among gemstones:
Property | Value |
Chemical Formula | C (pure carbon) |
Crystal System | Isometric (cubic) |
Color | Colorless to yellow, brown, and fancy colors (blue, pink, red, green, purple, orange) |
Hardness (Mohs) | 10; the hardest natural material |
Toughness | Good to excellent, but can be cleaved |
Specific Gravity | 3.52 (±0.01) |
Refractive Index | 2.417–2.419 |
Dispersion | 0.044 (high fire) |
Luster | Adamantine (diamond-like) |
Cleavage | Perfect in four directions |
Thermal Conductivity | Highest of any natural material |
Diamond's thermal conductivity is so high that it feels cold to the touch—a property used in thermal probes to distinguish diamonds from simulants. It's also an excellent electrical insulator, except for boron-doped blue diamonds which can conduct electricity .
Where in the World Can You Find Diamonds?
Diamond deposits exist on every continent except Antarctica, though some locations are particularly famous for their production.
Major Diamond-Producing Countries
Russia: Currently the world's largest diamond producer by volume, with vast deposits in Siberia . The Mirny diamond mine is one of the largest open-pit mines in the world.
Botswana: The world's leading producer by value, Botswana's diamonds are known for their exceptional quality . The Jwaneng mine, often called the "richest diamond mine in the world," produces some of the finest gems .
Canada: A major producer since the 1990s, Canada's Ekati and Diavik mines in the Northwest Territories are known for producing high-quality, conflict-free diamonds .
South Africa: Historically significant as the site of the first major diamond discoveries in the late 19th century . The Cullinan mine produced the largest rough diamond ever found .
Australia: The Argyle mine in Western Australia was famous for its rare pink diamonds before closing in 2020 .
Other sources: Angola, Namibia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Brazil, India, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania also produce significant quantities .
The World's Most Famous Diamond Mine
The Cullinan Diamond Mine in South Africa holds a special place in diamond history. It was here in 1905 that the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found the Cullinan Diamond was discovered. Weighing an astonishing 3,106 carats (about 1.33 pounds), it was named after the mine's chairman, Thomas Cullinan .
The Cullinan was eventually cut into 9 major stones and 96 smaller brilliants. The two largest - the Cullinan I (530.2 carats) and Cullinan II (317.4 carats)form part of the British Crown Jewels, set in the Sovereign's Sceptre and the Imperial State Crown respectively .
A History Steeped in Legend and Power
Diamonds have fascinated humanity for thousands of years, with a history as brilliant as the stones themselves.
Ancient India: The First Diamonds
The earliest known diamonds were discovered in India, probably in riverbeds, around 4,000 years ago . Ancient Indians believed diamonds possessed supernatural powers—they were thought to protect warriors in battle, ward off evil spirits, and even provide protection from poison, fire, and thieves . Diamonds were also used in religious icons and were believed to bring good fortune to their owners .
The ancient Sanskrit text Arthashastra (written around 300 BCE) included detailed descriptions of diamond quality and value, demonstrating that even then, people understood the importance of cut, clarity, and color .
Ancient Rome and Greece
The ancient Greeks called diamonds adamas, "invincible", believing them to be splinters of stars that had fallen to Earth or tears of the gods . Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder wrote in the 1st century AD that diamonds were the most valuable of all human possessions, though he believed they could only be broken by soaking them in warm goat's blood; a myth that persisted for centuries .
Roman soldiers wore diamonds as talismans into battle, believing they would make them invincible. This belief in the stone's protective powers continued through the Middle Ages .
The Middle Ages and Renaissance
During the Middle Ages, diamonds were thought to have medicinal properties. Bishops and cardinals would sometimes touch diamonds to the tongues of those who spoke against the church, believing the stones would cure heresy . The stones were also used to treat ailments of the brain and pituitary gland.
By the 1400s, diamonds had become fashionable among European royalty. Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy in 1477, marking the first recorded diamond engagement ring; a tradition that would eventually sweep the world .
The Diamond Rush: Brazil and South Africa
For centuries, India was the world's only source of diamonds. But in the 1720s, significant deposits were discovered in Brazil, shifting the center of diamond production to South America . Brazilian diamonds flooded the European market, making diamonds more accessible to the emerging merchant class.
The real revolution came in 1866 when a 15-year-old boy named Erasmus Jacobs found a transparent pebble on the banks of the Orange River in South Africa . This "pebble" turned out to be a 21.25-carat diamond, sparking the first great diamond rush. Soon, prospectors descended on the region, leading to the discovery of the Kimberley diamond pipes; the first evidence that diamonds originated in ancient volcanic formations .
The diamond rush led to the founding of De Beers Consolidated Mines by Cecil Rhodes in 1888. De Beers would go on to dominate the diamond industry for over a century, controlling supply and shaping consumer demand through legendary marketing campaigns .
The 20th Century: Diamonds Are Forever
In 1947, advertising agency N.W. Ayer crafted a simple, brilliant slogan for De Beers: "A Diamond Is Forever." Written by copywriter Frances Gerety, these four words captured the stone's durability and symbolic meaning, cementing its place as the ultimate symbol of eternal love . The slogan is widely considered one of the most successful advertising campaigns in history.
This campaign, combined with Hollywood glamour and strategic marketing, transformed diamonds from a luxury for the ultra-wealthy into an essential component of modern romance. By the mid-20th century, the diamond engagement ring had become a cultural expectation in Western societies—and increasingly around the world.
Modern Diamond History
The late 20th and early 21st centuries brought significant changes to the diamond industry. Concerns about conflict diamonds; rough diamonds used to finance civil wars in Africa; led to the creation of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme in 2003 . While imperfect, this international agreement has helped reduce the flow of conflict diamonds .
Meanwhile, technology has introduced a new player to the diamond world: lab-grown diamonds. First created in the 1950s for industrial use, gem-quality synthetic diamonds became commercially viable in the 2010s. Chemically and physically identical to natural diamonds, they offer an ethical and often more affordable alternative—sparking debate about their place in the market .
Diamonds as April's Birthstone
For those born in April, diamonds are more than just beautiful gems—they're personal talismans that perfectly match the spring season's energy . April babies are said to share qualities with their birthstone: strength, clarity of purpose, and an inner radiance that draws others in .
The diamond's connection to April is ancient. In traditional Polish, Roman, Arabic, Hebrew, and Hindu calendars, diamond has long been associated with this month . Since 1912, when the American jewelry industry standardized birthstone lists, diamond has been recognized as the official April birthstone .
April-born individuals are often described as:
Strong and resilient, like the hardest gem on Earth
Clear in their intentions, with an unshakeable sense of purpose
Radiant and magnetic, naturally drawing people toward them
Pure of heart, with an inner light that shines through
A diamond's durability symbolizes the everlasting nature of life and love, making it a meaningful gift for April birthdays and a fitting representation of those born in this month .
The Four Cs: Understanding Diamond Quality
To evaluate diamond quality, the gemological world relies on the Four Cs—a system developed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in the 1950s .
Carat Weight
Carat weight measures a diamond's mass. One carat equals 200 milligrams (about 0.007 ounces). The word "carat" comes from the carob seeds once used to balance scales in ancient marketplaces because of their uniform weight .
Larger diamonds are rarer and more valuable, but carat weight alone doesn't determine value. A small, high-quality diamond can be worth more than a larger stone with poor color and clarity .
Color
For most diamonds, the goal is colorlessness. The GIA color scale ranges from D (completely colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). Truly colorless diamonds (D-F) are extremely rare and valuable .
Some diamonds, however, are prized for their intense color. These fancy color diamonds - pink, blue, green, red, yellow, and purple—are evaluated on their own color scales . The most famous fancy color diamond is the Hope Diamond, a stunning 45.52-carat blue diamond now housed at the Smithsonian Institution .
Clarity
Clarity measures the absence of internal characteristics (inclusions) and surface irregularities (blemishes). The GIA clarity scale ranges from Flawless (no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification) to Included (inclusions visible to the naked eye) .
Most diamonds contain tiny birthmarks—nature's fingerprints—that make each stone unique. These inclusions are often invisible without magnification and don't affect the stone's beauty to the naked eye.
Cut
Cut is perhaps the most important of the Four Cs because it directly determines a diamond's sparkle. Unlike the other Cs, which are determined by nature, cut is entirely in the hands of the craftsman .
A well-cut diamond reflects light from one facet to another and disperses it through the top of the stone, creating maximum brilliance and fire. Poorly cut diamonds allow light to escape from the sides or bottom, resulting in a dull appearance. The GIA cut scale for standard round brilliants ranges from Excellent to Poor .
Beyond the Four Cs: Diamond Shapes
While cut refers to proportion and symmetry, shape refers to the diamond's outline. Popular shapes include:
Round Brilliant: The most popular shape, with 57 or 58 facets designed to maximize brilliance . The modern round brilliant was developed by mathematician and gem enthusiast Marcel Tolkowsky in 1919 .
Princess Cut: A square or rectangular shape with pointed corners, known for its modern look and brilliant sparkle .
Emerald Cut: A rectangular shape with step cuts and cropped corners, prized for its elegant, sophisticated appearance .
Cushion Cut: A square or rectangular shape with rounded corners, combining old-world charm with brilliant facets .
Oval Cut: An elongated shape that can appear larger than its actual carat weight and flatters the finger .
Pear Cut: A teardrop shape that combines the round brilliant with the marquise .
Marquise Cut: An elongated shape with pointed ends, designed to maximize carat weight and create the illusion of length .
Heart Cut: A romantic shape requiring exceptional skill to cut symmetrically .
Famous Diamonds Around the World
Some diamonds have achieved legendary status:
The Cullinan Diamond
As mentioned, the Cullinan is the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found at 3,106 carats . It was cut into 105 stones, with the two largest—the Great Star of Africa (Cullinan I, 530.2 carats) and the Lesser Star of Africa (Cullinan II, 317.4 carats)—forming part of the British Crown Jewels .
The Hope Diamond
The Hope Diamond is perhaps the world's most famous gem . This 45.52-carat deep blue diamond is surrounded by legend and rumored to carry a curse . It was originally part of the French Crown Jewels and is now displayed at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, where it attracts millions of visitors annually .
The Koh-i-Noor
The Koh-i-Noor ("Mountain of Light") has a history stretching back over 700 years through the dynasties of India, Persia, and Afghanistan . Weighing 105.6 carats, it now forms part of the British Crown Jewels and is set in the Queen Mother's Crown . Its ownership remains disputed by several countries, including India, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan .
The Pink Star
The Pink Star is a 59.60-carat fancy vivid pink diamond that sold at auction in 2017 for $71.2 million; the highest price ever paid for any gemstone at the time . It's the largest internally flawless fancy vivid pink diamond ever graded by the GIA .
The Centenary Diamond
Discovered in South Africa in 1986, the rough Centenary Diamond weighed 599 carats . After three years of cutting, it became a 273.85-carat D-color flawless diamond with 247 facets—the most complex cut diamond ever created . It remains one of the world's largest and most valuable diamonds .
Lab-Grown Diamonds: A Modern Alternative
Since the 1950s, scientists have been able to create diamonds in laboratories. These lab-grown diamonds (also called synthetic, man-made, or cultured diamonds) have the same chemical composition, crystal structure, optical properties, and physical properties as natural diamonds . The only difference is their origin.
How They're Made
Two primary methods produce lab-grown diamonds:
High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT): Mimicking the natural conditions under which diamonds form, this method subjects carbon to extreme pressure and temperature .
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD): Carbon-containing gas is ionized in a vacuum chamber, causing carbon atoms to deposit on a substrate and grow as diamond .
Pros and Cons
Advantages of lab-grown diamonds:
Generally 20-40% less expensive than comparable natural diamonds
Ethically sourced with no concerns about conflict diamonds
Environmentally impact can be lower (though they require significant energy)
Chemically and physically identical to natural diamonds
Considerations:
They lack the billions of years of geological history of natural diamonds
Resale value is typically lower
Some people value the rarity and natural origin of mined diamonds
The choice between natural and lab-grown is personal—neither is "better," and both offer beauty and durability .
Diamond Jewelry and Traditions
Engagement Rings
The tradition of diamond engagement rings dates back to 1477, but it wasn't until the 20th century that it became universal . Today, over 80% of American engagement rings feature diamonds, and the practice has spread worldwide .
Popular styles include:
Solitaire: A single diamond on a plain band—classic and timeless
Halo: A center diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds
Three-Stone: Representing the past, present, and future of a relationship
Pavé: The band is set with small diamonds, creating a continuous sparkle
Anniversary Gifts
Diamonds are traditional for significant anniversaries:
10th Anniversary: Diamond jewelry
60th Anniversary: Diamond (the Diamond Jubilee)
Other Diamond Jewelry
Beyond engagement rings, diamonds appear in every form of jewelry:
Earrings: From simple studs to dramatic chandeliers
Necklaces and Pendants: Solitaire pendants, diamond tennis necklaces
Bracelets: Diamond tennis bracelets are a classic
Rings: Cocktail rings, stackable bands, right-hand rings
Watches: Diamond-accented timepieces from luxury brands
How to Care for Your Diamond
Diamonds may be the hardest natural material, but they still require proper care to maintain their beauty.
Cleaning
Gentle home cleaning: Soak in warm water with mild dish soap, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush, rinse, and pat dry .
Professional cleaning: Have your diamond jewelry professionally cleaned and inspected every six months .
Avoid: Harsh chemicals like chlorine bleach, which can damage the metal settings even if the diamond is unharmed .
Storage
Store diamond pieces separately in soft pouches or compartments to prevent scratching other jewelry (diamonds can scratch other gems) .
Keep away from other diamonds, as they can scratch each other .
Daily Wear Tips
Remove diamond rings before applying lotion, doing heavy cleaning, or gardening
Take off jewelry before swimming (chlorine can damage metal settings)
Have prongs checked regularly to ensure stones are secure
The Hardness Myth
While diamonds are the hardest natural material, they're not indestructible. A sharp blow can cause a diamond to chip or cleave along its internal grain boundaries . This is why diamond cutters have been able to shape stones for centuries—and why you should still be careful with your jewelry.
Diamond Certification
When buying a diamond, look for certification from a reputable gemological laboratory. The most respected labs include:
GIA (Gemological Institute of America): The most trusted and consistent grader
AGS (American Gem Society): Known for strict grading standards
IGI (International Gemological Institute): Widely used, especially in Europe and Asia
HRD (Hoge Raad voor Diamant): Belgium's diamond institute
A certification provides an unbiased assessment of the diamond's Four Cs and confirms its natural origin (or identifies it as lab-grown).
Ethical Considerations: Conflict Diamonds and Beyond
In the 1990s, concerns about "blood diamonds" or "conflict diamonds"—rough diamonds used to fund civil wars in Africa—led to consumer awareness campaigns and industry reform . The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was established in 2003 to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the mainstream market . Today, over 99% of diamonds are conflict-free .
However, ethical considerations extend beyond conflict. Responsible mining practices, fair labor conditions, environmental impact, and community benefit are increasingly important to consumers. Many jewelers now offer:
Canadian diamonds with documented ethical sourcing
Lab-grown diamonds as an alternative
Certified recycled diamonds from vintage jewelry
Traceability programs documenting a stone's journey from mine to market
When purchasing, ask your jeweler about their sourcing practices and look for transparent supply chains .
Whether you're drawn to diamonds for their brilliant sparkle, their symbolic meaning, their connection to April birthdays, or their status as the ultimate expression of love, these extraordinary gems have something to offer everyone. From the ancient mines of India to the modern laboratories of today, diamonds continue to fascinate, inspire, and delight.
Where will your journey with diamonds take you? Let us know in the comments!
Here are other articles from our Gemstone Series:
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