Meet the April Birthstone "Diamond"

Diamond is the birthstone for the month of April.

Diamonds were first discovered in India approx. around 2,500 years ago in the Golconda region, between the Godavari and Krishna Rivers. They were prized as divine objects by Indian rulers. Cutting and polishing had yet to be mastered, so diamonds retained their natural look. Rough diamonds were kept as talismans and only later were incorporated into jewelry, which initially only men were allowed to wear.

Early Hindus believed diamonds were created when bolts of lightning struck rocks and exalted diamonds as talismans against fire, poison and evil spirits. The Greeks believed that they were splinters of stars that had fallen to Earth, while Roman philosophers considered them tears of the gods, they were the giver of strength and courage and warriors wore leather breastplates studded with diamonds into battle. The Egyptian pharaohs had diamonds placed in the middle of the ankh, a cross with a loop at the top that was the hieroglyphic symbol for life itself.

Raw diamonds or natural diamonds come from 100-150 miles under the earths surface. They form over billions of years and are composed of carbon, crystallize under extreme temperatures and pressure, and form to become the hardest gemstones available.

The healing powers of diamonds are believed to be fearlessness, invincibility and fortitude. It clears emotional and mental pain, reducing fear and bringing about new beginnings. Stimulates creativity, inventiveness, imagination and ingenuity. It brings clarity of mind and aids enlightenment.

The diamond ranks number 10 on the Mohs hardness scale and is usually durable enough to be placed in an ultrasonic cleaner. However, if your diamond has many inclusions or has been treated, it it is best to clean it with a lint-free cloth, or use warm water, mild soap, Windex and a soft toothbrush or a commercial jewelry cleaning solution.

Have your diamond jewelry periodically cleaned and its setting examined by a professional jeweler to maintain its beauty and integrity over time.