Sparkle Up Your April: Here's Your Birthstone!
DIAMOND BIRTHSTONE MEANING & HISTORY
Diamonds have been around for ages, and they've always been a big deal, especially in India, where people used to find them in rivers and streams. Back in the day, only rich people and royalty could afford diamonds, but by the 1400s, they were all the rage among the cool kids in Europe. The first diamond engagement ring was given by Archduke Maximillian of Austria to his girlfriend, Mary of Burgundy, in 1477. That's some serious bling!
In the 1700s, Brazil became the new hot spot for diamonds when people found them in the rivers there. Brazil was the diamond king for over 150 years.
But then, in the late 1800s, diamonds were discovered in South Africa, and that changed everything. A guy named Cecil Rhodes started a company called De Beers, and it quickly became the biggest diamond company in the world. The largest diamond ever found, the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond, was found in South Africa in 1905. That's a lot of carats! Part of that diamond is now in the British Crown Jewels. Pretty fancy, huh?
In April, folks thought wearing diamonds could shield them from the evil eye, a creepy look that was said to cause sickness, poverty, or even death. But diamonds were more than just protectors—they were also believed to have healing powers. People from way back thought that this birthstone was the cure for poison and could even protect you from the plague! Some even said it could bring you a long life, strength, beauty, and happiness.
On top of being the birthstone for April, diamonds are also a popular gift for 60th and 75th wedding anniversaries. And let's not forget the engagement ring—a diamond ring has become the go-to symbol of love and marriage.
WHERE IS DIAMOND FOUND?
In April, you can't go wrong with a diamond. They're mined all over the world now. In the early 2000s, South Africa got some company from other African countries that started producing a lot of rough diamonds. Like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (used to be called Zaire) and Botswana. The former Soviet Union opened their first big mine in 1960, and now Russia is one of the top producers of diamonds when it comes to both how many they have and how much they're worth. Diamond mining really took off when the Argyle mine opened in Australia in 1983, and then they found a bunch of diamond deposits in northern Canada in the 1990s.
Botswana's diamonds are found in the hot, dry eastern part of the country. These mines have made the country a lot of money, and a lot of people in Botswana are now middle class. Botswana is also a big diamond hub, where about 40 percent of the world's rough diamonds are sorted and priced.
DIAMOND BIRTHSTONE CARE & CLEANING
Diamonds are pretty tough, right? They got a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale, so you can usually clean 'em with an ultrasonic cleaner. But, if your diamond's got a lot of inclusions or has been treated, it's best to play it safe and clean it with a lint-free cloth or use warm water, mild soap, and a soft toothbrush. Or, you can use a commercial jewelry cleaner. Whatever you do, make sure to have your diamond jewelry checked out by a jeweler every once in a while to keep it looking its best.
So, now that you know a little bit about diamonds, the birthstone for April, you're ready to shop like a pro! You'll definitely appreciate this super tough gemstone even more. Whether it's colored or colorless, big or small, diamonds continue to charm those lucky enough to be born in April. And let's not forget the lucky ones in love who get to give or receive a diamond engagement ring. If you're thinking of getting a diamond, I hope our little journey through its history and origins was helpful.
If you're planning on shopping for a diamond, don't forget to brush up on the 4Cs of diamond quality and take our Diamond Buying Guide with you.
- DanniTheJeweler