Traditionally, Diamond is the Birthstone for April
Ah!, the lucky lady born in April - you have diamond as your birthstone! I know - you gentlemen love diamonds, too.
Those born in April have the distinct honor of claiming the most expensive gemstones - diamonds, as their own.
From antiquity, diamonds have been prized above all other gemstones for their unique qualities. Despite all of the synthetic imitation diamond substitutes available, and more recently, man-made diamonds, there is really nothing that is the same as a genuine, mined diamond.
Diamonds are exceptionally beautiful, the hardest mineral known to man, and considered almost imperishable. About the only thing that will break a diamond is a sudden, sharp knock against a hard surface, or too much pressure exerted on the girdle, or outer edge of a diamond. Generally, they are unaffected by chemicals, but exposure to extreme heat can leave a "craze" on the outside surface, which can be removed by an expert.
Diamonds get their name from the Greek word "adamas" which means - "invincible." Today, most people know that diamonds are not just white. In nature, diamonds can be found in every color of the rainbow, with one of the rarest and most expensive colors being red. Today, our modern technology has introduced the ability to artificially color them, also, making them virtually indistinguishable from naturally colored diamonds.
The Dresden diamond is a 41 carat pear-shaped green diamond, known since the 1700's.
The Hope Diamond, at 45.52 carats, is a blue diamond which appeared in 1830, and now resides in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
The Tiffany diamond weighs in at 128.51 carats, and it is a lovely cognac color.
The Star of Africa, also called Cullinan I, is a clear white pear-shaped diamond that weighs a whopping 530.20 carats. It is currently in the Tower of London. The Florentine Diamond, a beautiful yellow diamond, weighed 137.27 carats. Since World War I, its whereabouts are unknown.
Below are some interesting BELIEFS about diamonds:
* Diamonds can neutralize all poisons. (Wouldn't it be great if THAT was true!)
* Wearing diamonds will protect you from nightmares. (Nope - I can attest to the fact that you can still have nightmares, even if you are wearing diamonds!)
* Diamonds are capable of curing insanity. (Oh, boy, would I like to experiment with THAT one with a few people I know!)