April's Birthstone : Diamond

For centuries gemstones have been linked to the months of birth. It is a folk lore that wearing your birthstone will bring good luck. Birthstones come in a colorful array of sparkling jewels and glowing gemstones, each one with its own place in history and myth.

April's birthstone is remarkably simple in composition, yet stunning in its unique ability to reflect and refract light into vivid flashes of brilliant color. Diamonds symbolize purity, eternal love and faith. The word "diamond" comes from the Greek word "adamastos," which means "invincible”. And in terms of durability, the diamond is indeed so.The ancient Hindus called the Diamond "Vajra," meaning lightening, both because of the sparks of light thrown off by this gem as well as its invincible strength.

April's birthstone also represents strength. It is said to be the "ultimate gemstone" because it is the hardest mineral in existence, even tougher than the sapphire or the ruby.The most coveted of all birthstones most are colorless but colored varieties do exist.There are many kinds of diamonds: transparent, translucent or opaque; ranging from colorless to sooty black, with many colors in between. Mostly transparent diamonds, colorless or tinted, are used as jewelry.The purest diamond is so transparent and colorless that no other stone or mineral in the world can compare. Whenever light strikes a diamond, the particles of light are so evenly dispersed that it seems a bright "flame" burns inside the stone. Clarity of thought and purity of heart is what this trait represents.The color of a diamond depends on the kind of impurities embedded inside it. Yellow diamonds, for example, betray minute quantities of nitrogen, while boron imparts a bluish hue.

Because the diamond is so clear, it goes well with any metal. People who choose platinum, titanium, gold or silver metal bases for jewelry need not fear that their diamond-enhanced apparel will not look good. The diamond is the ultimate expression of class. A single tiny diamond, as long as it is properly cut and with sufficient carat weight, is enough to lend sophistication to any accessory or attire. Ever heard the phrase "a diamond is forever"? It comes from the fact that a properly preserved diamond never loses its luster. Today, the value and appeal of this stone depends largely upon how skillfully it is cut and faceted.

A gift of a Diamond is symbolic of everlasting love. There is no more convincing a promise of an enduring relationship than the brilliant gemstone that has endured in people's hearts throughout the ages.Though we can not prove that is so, they are beautiful gifts given with love.