April Birthstone: The Ultimate Guide to Diamonds

     What Is The April Birthstone?

For all the Aries and Taurus people, the April-born individuals, a Diamond is your April birthstone. It is a popular, loved gemstone that has star quality. Diamonds have a strong influence in the world of gemstones, often worn as pendant necklaces or rings.

April babies are lucky to have this sparkling gem as their birthstone!

This April birthstone has been valued for centuries, and so does the beauty of this stone, which correlates with the stories behind the places where it is mined.

Let’s dive into it!

     April Birthstone History & Symbolism

The term ‘Diamond’ originated from the Greek word “Adamas, " which translates to ‘unbeatable’ or ‘indestructible’ due to its toughness. The history of the diamond dates back as early as the fourth century BCE when people picked up diamonds from rivers and streams in India. Diamonds were present in the medieval trading hubs of Venice by the 15th century and were eagerly incorporated into the fashion of Europe’s affluent by the beginning of the Renaissance.

Brazil, then, monopolized the diamond market for more than a century and a half until South Africa’s Kimberley discovery in the late 1860s gave birth to the modern diamond industry.

     Where Is The April Birthstone Found?

Russia has been among the largest producers of diamonds, which began the operation of its first large-scale mine in 1960. The Argyle mine in Australia (1983) and Diamond discoveries in northern Canada (1990s) also extended diamond mining further.

At the present day (since early 2003), with the collaboration of other African countries, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Botswana has become one of the largest producers of rough diamonds. In Botswana, diamonds are mined in the hot, semi-arid eastern region, boosting the economy and creating a growing middle class.

     Characteristics of Diamonds

Known as the Four C’s, the Carat Weight, Cut, Color, and Clarity are criteria set by GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and are used in classifying diamond quality globally.

Let's understand the characteristics in details of this birthstone for April:

Carat Weight

This defines the diamond size, where 1 carat equals 0.20 grams. One has to judiciously mix carat weight with other aspects, such as cut and clarity, to get the desired look without undermining quality. This table summarizes the range of diamond carat weights and their typical uses in jewelry:

Carat Weight	Description
0.05 - 0.99	Small to moderate carat weights suitable for delicate jewelry pieces.
1.00 - 1.99	Standard sizes for engagement rings and prominent jewelry pieces.
2.00 - 4.99	Larger carat weights suitable for statement pieces and special occasions.
5.00 - 9.99	Considerably large carat weights, often used in high-end jewelry and luxury items.
10.00+	Very large carat weights, rare and highly valuable, often used in prestigious jewelry.

Cut

The cut grade impacts how well an April birthstone reflects light and, therefore, the brilliant or sparkle of the gemstone. Well-cut diamonds have the best light performance and are sold at a premium compared to diamonds with a lower cut. This table summarizes how cut grade affects diamond appearance:

Cut Grade	Appearance Impact
Excellent	Highest quality cut, maximizes brilliance. Recommended for round diamonds.
Very Good	Very good cut quality, slightly lower cost than excellent. Suitable for various shapes.
Good	Adequate cut, acceptable brilliance.
Fair	Noticeable impact on brilliance, budget-friendly.
Poor	Lowest quality cut, minimal sparkle.

Color

Diamonds are classified according to their color, ranging from D (Colorless) to Z+ (Light yellow) due to their effect on the Diamond’s luster and look. Natural colorless diamonds are rare and still more expensive than colored ones.

This table summarizes the GIA diamond color grading scale:

Color	Description	Characteristics
D, E, F	Colorless	Highly valued for their pure white appearance with no discernible color.
G, H, I, J	Near Colorless	Slight hint of color, typically faint yellow or brown, but can appear white in jewelry settings.
K, L, M	Faint Yellow or Brown	Noticeable yellow or brown tint, less expensive than near-colorless diamonds.
N-Z	Light Yellow or Brown	More pronounced yellow or brown coloration, lower in quality and value. May show noticeable color even when mounted.

Clarity

Clarity refers to internal flaws or inclusions and external marks or blemishes on the face of the cut Diamond. The more transparent the Diamond is, the more valuable it is, and the clarity grades of Flawless (FL) or Internally Flawless (IF) contain higher prices due to their scarcity and high light reflection.

This table outlines the various clarity grades for diamonds:

Abbreviation	Full Form	Description
FL	Flawless	No blemishes visible under 10x magnification.
IF	Internally Flawless	No internal inclusions visible under 10x magnification.
VVS1	Very Very Small/Slightly Included 1	Very small inclusions visible under 10x magnification.
VVS2	Very Very Small/Slightly Included 2	Small inclusions visible under 10x magnification.
VS1	Very Small/Slightly Included 1	Minor inclusions visible under 10x magnification.
VS2	Very Small/Slightly Included 2	Noticeable inclusions visible under 10x magnification.
SI1	Small/Slightly Included 1	Inclusions easily visible under 10x magnification, may be visible to the naked eye.
SI2	Small/Slightly Included 2	Inclusions visible to the naked eye and affecting transparency and brilliance.
I1	Included 1	Inclusions visible to the naked eye, impacting brilliance.
I2	Included 2	Inclusions are more pronounced, affecting transparency and brilliance.
I3	Included 3	Inclusions severely impact transparency and brilliance, often with a dull appearance.

     April Birthstone Cleaning And Care Tips

Cleaning Diamonds

Follow these cleaning steps by using a mild dish soap:

• Combine a small amount of dish soap with warm water in a bowl.
• Dip the diamond jewelry into the solution and wait a few minutes to dissolve any grime or deposits.
• Using a soft-bristled brush, preferably a toothbrush, clean the diamonds while ensuring that all sides of the jewelry are covered.
• Rinse with warm running water until all soap residues are washed off.
• Pat dry the surface with a soft, lint-free cloth to bring out the shine again.

Storage Recommendation

When storing April's birthstones and diamonds, it is very important not to cause them to get scratched or damaged in any way.

• Diamond jewelry should be kept in a fabric-lined jewelry box or a soft pouch.
• The velvet interior maintains and protects the jewelry as it is soft and prevents the jewelry from getting damaged by scratches or abrasion.
• This practice also plays a role in preserving the sheen and brilliance of diamonds in the long run.

Professional Cleaning Advice

• While normal cleaning at home is helpful, diamond rings should occasionally be professionally cleaned.
• Professional jewelers can accomplish this by cleansing diamonds owing to their specialization and the special equipment that they use.
• Professional cleanings also involve checking whether the stones are well secured, thus enhancing the durability of diamond jewelry.

     April Birthstone Facts

• Diamond Color: Diamonds can be found with a color spectrum spanning from colorless to fancy colors such as blue, pink, and yellow.
• Diamond Mohs Hardness Scale Rating: Diamonds have a hardness level of 10 on the Mohs scale and are the hardest natural substance on earth.
• Diamond Symbolism & Meaning: Diamonds are associated with strength and perfect love, which is why they are used in engagement rings and other gifts between lovers.
• Diamond Zodiac Signs: April birthstone is also linked to two zodiac signs, namely Aries and Taurus.
• Other Recognitions: Diamonds are accustomed to being gifts on specific year wedding anniversaries, mainly the 60th and 75th marriage anniversaries.

     April Birthstone Jewelry Types