These birthstones have graced the hands of kings, been worn as invincible battle ornaments and are now the gems of choice for wedding engagemant rings. Of course, we’re tallking about diamonds, which also happen to be the April birthstone. Keep reading for more information on the magic and mystery of diamonds. (Diamonds are just one of the birthstones for April. The other April birth stone is clear sapphire.)

What’s In A Name? The Invincible Diamond

Our word diamond comes from the Greek “adamas.” I’ve seen this translated as “hard” as well as “unconquerable” and “invincible.” Even though these cherished gems were first discovered betweeen 800 and 600 BC in India, they are still the hardest natural substance known to exisit.

In part because of the hardness of this stone, kings and other soldiers wore diamonds in their armor and breastplates. It was believed this made them unconquerable in battle and many warriors stayed away just because of this belief. (Which in turn increased the invincible reputation of the king or the soldier.)

Diamonds & Ash :: Chemical Composition and Gemology

Diamonds are the hardest natural substance known to exist. Those which are not used for jewelry are used for industrial purposes, such as bits. However, regardless of popular beilef and mythical meaning, they are not invincible. If you hit a diamond with a hammer, it will break. (Please don’t try this at home.)

Diamonds are made of carbon. It’s hard to believe, but these sparkling birth stones are basically made of the same chemicals as the ash in your fireplace. Why do diamonds look the way they do when that hunk of burned wood in your fireplace looks completely different? For starters you would need to take your hunk of charcoal, pull it down 93 miles below the earth, and superheat it to 2,192 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, after a million years of waiting, you might have a new diamond! (I’m saying might here, as geologists are not in complete agreement as to how diamonds are formed.)

Diamonds are octahedral in shape. Imagine an eight sided double pyramid, and you have the octahedral shape of these birthstones. Diamonds are usually clear or yellow (yellow is not as expensive.) There are also naturally colored diamonds in blue, green, red, pink, canary yellow and amber. Colored diamonds are very expensive. The best cut diamonds are also the most expensive as it takes years to learn how to cut these birth stones gems. The major cutting cities are New York, Bombay, Tel Aviv, and Antwerp.

Not for Men Only :: The Changing History of Diamonds

Diamonds were first discovered in the riverbeds in India over three thousand years ago. This April birthstone is listed in the Bible in Exodus: 10:13 as part of the breast plate of Aaron. Many of our modern birthstones are also listed there. Diamonds are also mentioned in Ezekiel 28:13.

Louis IX of France (1214-1270) was extremely enamoured of diamonds. He passed an edict during his reign which essentially said that only kings could wear diamonds, and absolutely no women. (That included queens and princesses.) In 1477, the Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Princess Mary of Burgundy. Thus began the tradition of diamond engagement rings which continues to this day. In 1723, these birthstones were found in Brazil and in 1867, diamonds were found in the Orange River of South Africa. Some of the more famous diamond gem stones are the Koh-in-Moor and the Hope Diamond, both from Golconda, India. It is also the US state gem stone of Arkansas (where diamonds are mined in the US, but they are not gem quality.)

Lightening, Tears & Stars :: Diamond Mythology

In ancient India, diamonds were not cut for fear their magical properties would be lost. It is said that ancient Hindus believed diamonds appeared where lightening hit the rocks. Many people of ancient times also believe this birth stone to be the tears of the Gods or splinters from the stars. This last myth is particularly interesting to me, as scientists have now discovered microscopic diamonds in certain types of meteorites. Their physical properties are identical to our eartly diamonds, but they have a different crystalline structure. Scientists believe these tiny diamonds are the by-products of exploding stars, or supernovas. Diamonds… Splinters from the stars!

A popular belief about these birthstones during the Middle Ages is that diamonds would grow darker in the face of guilt and shine brightly for the innocent. Diamonds would also change color in the presence of poison. The rainbow colors of the prism were thought to give one magical power over evil eyes. This April birthstone is also the ancient symbol of the “Perfected Man,” one whose spirit gleams for those on the spiritual path. Another belief about diamonds — and one that I have read in regard with other precious stones as well — is that they should be received from another person. It was said that they lose their power if bought instead of given. One more reason to give April birthstone jewelry as a gift!

Diamonds as Healing Stones

Here are a few of the ways diamonds have been used as healing stones:

* Detect and detoxify poison

* Open spirituality channels

* Aid in creativity

* Assist in calming creatures

If you set a diamond in gold and wore it on the left hand side, it is supposed to have the power to take away nightmares.

Diamonds and You

April birthstones, the diamond, have been a symbol of love, faith, trust, and prosperity for thousands of years. It has been worn by kings and warriors in battle, used as a talisman against bad dreams, and given as a comittment to marriage. Give a diamond birthstone as a gift and share the love.