Diamonds are a girl’s best friend; especially to those lucky enough to be born in the month of April, being its official birthstone.
What is a Birthstone?
A birthstone is a gemstone that symbolises a month of birth and is often used in personal jewellery such as rings or pendants—making it a wonderful and personal birthday gift for someone special. The origin of birthstones is believed to date back to the breastplate of Aaron, which contained twelve gemstones representing the twelve tribes of Israel. The current list dates back to 1912.
April’s Birthstone
There are numerous legends and myths about birthstone healing powers and their influence. According to these legends, wearing a gemstone during its assigned month heightened its healing powers. It was believed that for the full effect, individuals needed to own all twelve birthstones and alternate them monthly.
April’s gemstone, the diamond, is steeped in romance and is thought to provide the wearer with great inner strength and endurance, for they were born deep within the Earth’s crust over three billion years ago. So brilliant, they were once thought to be fallen stars.
10 facts about April’s birthstone, the diamond:
Fact #1
Less than 20 percent of the diamonds mined worldwide are true gem-quality.
Fact #2
The name “diamond” is derived from the Greek word adámas, meaning “unbreakable”.
Fact #3
Diamonds are considered the hardest natural substance known to man.
Fact #4
Only a diamond can cut a diamond: diamonds are polished on wheels coated with diamond dust.
Fact #5
Mary of Burgundy received the first recorded diamond engagement ring. from Archduke Maximilian in 1477.
Fact #6
The earliest written account of diamonds dates back to around 500 B.C.
Fact #7
Diamonds are virtually fireproof. To burn one, it must be heated to 700°C.
Fact #8
Only one polished diamond out of a thousand weighs more than a carat.
Fact #9
Only one in every 10,000 colourless diamonds is a natural fancy colour diamond.
Fact #10
The ancient Romans and Greeks had powerful beliefs about diamonds, including the thought that diamonds were the tears of the gods or splinters that had broken off of falling stars. Roman literature also stated that Cupid’s arrows were tipped with diamonds.
Learn More About Diamonds in April
Why not make use of the abundance of public holidays in April and learn more about these extraordinarily rare treasures with a visit to the Cape Town Diamond Museum? We’re open seven days a week, 9am-9pm even on public holidays.
