April Birthstone: Diamond

April’s birthstone is diamond, a gemstone symbolic of eternal love. Natural diamonds are believed to be one of the hardest and oldest substances in the world. This birthstone comes in a wide range of colors such as black, yellow, pink, and red.

Diamond

Diamonds have a rich history, being traded as early as the fourth century BCE. By the 1400s, diamonds were also fashionable accessories for Europe’s elite. Diamonds have long been associated with love and marriage, and today it is common practice to propose marriage with a diamond ring. The first diamond engagement ring was given in 1477 from Archduke Maximilian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy.

Many of the first diamonds originated in India, where they were gathered from rivers and streams. After India’s supply of diamonds began to decrease in the 1700s, Brazil became a prominent source. Brazil went on to dominate the diamond market for more than 150 years. In 1888, entrepreneur Cecil Rhodes founded De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited. By 1900, De Beers controlled an estimated 90% of the world’s rough diamond production. The discovery of Australia and northern Canada as diamond sources greatly expanded diamond mining. Botswana is prominent diamond source today, where roughly 40% of the world’s rough diamond supply is sorted.

Throughout history, diamonds were thought to be an antidote to poison and were used as protection against the plague. Some also claimed that this April birthstone warded off the evil eye, which is a look believed to cause sickness, death, and poverty. It has been said that wearing diamonds can bring the wearer balance and clarity. Ancient civilizations have thought that lightning bolts formed diamonds and that diamonds were the tears of God.

Click here to learn about our Diamonds of Wonder Collection and how it gives back to diamond mining communities.