Birthstone: April
Variety: Diamond
Chemical Composition: Carbon
Hardness: 10
Specific Gravity: 3.52
Refractive Index: 2.417
Color: yellow, brown, gray to colorless. sometimes blue, green, black, pink, violet, orange, purple, and red
Grading: The value of diamonds is based on the characteristics of “The Four C’s”, carat, clarity, color, and cut. Carat is the weight of the diamond. Clarity is based on the internal flaws found in a diamond called “inclusions” and “blemishes”. Color is rated on a scale of D-Z, with D being colorless and Z as deeply colored. The ideal color of a diamond has no color at all, and should be clear. Cut is what gives a stone its maximim brilliance and sparkle, and is based on the angles and accuracy of how a diamond is cut. All of this criteria combined is what determines the price and value of a diamond.
Where Found: About half originate from central and southern Africa, also in Canada, India, Russia, Brazil and Australia. Arkansas, Colorado, Whyoming, and Montana in the US.

Diamond Folklore

They are a symbol of courage and true love. Many ancient cultures associate them with lightning, and believed their creation occured when lightning struck the earth. Diamonds have been used to counteract poison, and to intensify other gemstone’s energies. It was widely perceived that the powers of a diamond were lost if you purchased it, only if it was received as a gift it kept its powers.

Ellie's Take On Diamonds

Yes, the most commonly quoted phrase about this incredible gemstone is “Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend”, thus supporting my favorite quote, “It is not just about the jewelry, it is about the meaning behind the jewelry”. I think diamonds are incredible on the physical plane because when they are cut well they can be 100% optically efficient. All of the light traveling into the stone can be reflected back. Diamonds can also transform white light into all the spectral colors- the prism affect. While this property is not unique to diamonds, crystal chandeliers send rainbows racing across the room, but when it is combined with the amazing light return, the effect is truly dazzling- its what puts the bling in the bling.
I like to use diamonds in my designs to create halos of light around other gemstones, giveing them a special advantage. I also use them to create a visual path for the eye to travel around a design. As earrings they brighten the face, in rings, they accent every movement, as pendants they make the heart shine brightly.

Diamonds in engagement rings are of course the most popular, with a long history and tradition. Its optical properties are stunning and its hardness- the hardest material known on earth, makes it a durable choice- a diamond in an engagement ring will weather life’s ups and downs along with the woman wearing it- and remain stunning, steadfast, and sparkling, which gets to the heart of what diamonds are all about psychically- the meaning in this special ring is love.