Our birthstone necklace series is not only a beautiful representation of your birthday month, but also serves as a symbol of the history and meaning behind each month’s birthstone. Diamonds are April’s birthstone; whether you are a Taurus or an Aries, these stunning, precious, stones celebrate your special month.
History of the April Birthstone
There are a variety of different types of diamonds. Raw diamonds, also known as natural diamonds, come from 100-150 miles underneath the earth’s surface and take billions of years to form. They are made of carbon and crystallize under extreme pressure and temperatures. Lab diamonds, while optically and physically identical to natural diamonds, are grown in labs using methods that replicate the process of raw diamond creation. Both raw diamonds and lab diamonds are originally in rough, uncut form and have to be designed in cutting facilities to get their brilliant form and sparkle. The quality of a diamond is defined by the 4 C’s: Carat, Color, Clarity, and Cut. The value of the diamond is determined by the combination of these elements.
Around the world, and for much of history, diamonds have been given a certain power and value. For example, the Greeks called the April birthstone “adamas,” which means unconquerable. It was only in the 17th century that diamond became more obtainable when King Louis XIV of France brought back diamonds from mines in India. Jewelers were able to cut these diamonds into a rose cut, with its six-faceted domed top and flat bottom. In the 18th century, jewelers created the mine cut, which has more facets to let in more light. You will see these types of diamonds in diamond bracelets, diamond pendants, engagement rings, and other diamond jewelry.
More recently, as we examine the overall history of birthstone jewelry, there was great movement in the artistic expression of jewelry, and especially with diamonds, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. For example, the linear aesthetic of the Art Deco movement led to technological advances in diamond stone cutting. Jewelers were able to create the brilliant round diamond with its fifty-eight facets, as well as other unique shapes such as half-moon, baguette, marquise, and pear shapes. In the mid-20th century, Harry Winston was known as “The King of Diamonds.” People may be familiar with Tiffany & Co., which presented a modernized attitude towards jewelry and fashion in the late 20th century. Tiffany & Co. brought in new designers to create diamond jewelry at a less expensive price point. For example, Elsa Peretti set small diamonds an inch apart on a chain and called it “Diamonds by the Yard.”
Because of diamonds’ brilliance and strength, they are incorporated into all different types of jewelry. As a result, if you want to find a piece of jewelry to celebrate your Taurus or Aries birthday, there is a wealth of options to choose from.
Meaning Behind the April Birthstone
The April birthstone is known as “a girl’s best friend” due to its sparkling brilliance. Diamonds symbolize enduring love, permanence, and stability; these powerful emotions are the reason that diamonds are often used for engagement rings. Furthermore, diamonds are resistant to fire, which means that they can symbolize strength and good health. Anyone would love to have diamonds as their birthstone!
Diamonds are so popular that they often appear in movies, books, and pop culture history. In the movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, which came out in 1953, Marilyn Monroe uttered the iconic phrase “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend” during a musical number. Elizabeth Taylor, an iconic celebrity in the 20th century, was known for her stunning collection of diamonds. She even had a diamond named after her, The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond (formerly known as the Krupp Diamond). This 33.19 carat diamond was bought by Richard Burton to give to his wife, Elizabeth Taylor, in 1968. She also owned a 68-carat diamond, called the Taylor-Burton diamond. The popularity and mystique around diamonds make it a very popular birthstone.
April Birthstone Necklaces
All our birthstone necklaces are designed as moons, which celebrates that we are all born under the same moon. Our April diamond “Moon” birthstone necklace features diamonds set in either an 18k gold or sterling silver moon. The brilliance of diamonds can either be dressed up, or dressed down, and can even be mixed with a variety of different jewelry pieces.
In addition to our birthstone necklace collection, we are proud to offer our Diamonds Reborn collection. Made from recycled gold or silver, this collection features repurposed natural diamonds or lab grown diamonds. This collection reinforces our pledge to be known as a Certified B Corporation, as we commit ourselves to build a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable economy. More specifically, all of the diamonds used in our collection are natural diamonds and are ethically sourced under the Kimberly Process Certification. We also try to use vintage diamonds to give them a new life in the 21st century.
Individuals born in April can celebrate their birthday month in sparkling style; remember, diamonds are a girl’s best friend!
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