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April Birthstone: A Complete Guide + 4 Alternative Stones
四月生日石:完整指南 + 4 种替代宝石
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Those born in April may be luckiest of all. Why? Because the traditional April birthstone is the iconic diamond, the most well-known gemstone in the world.

The month of April is probably named from the Latin aperire, meaning “to open,” because plants like flowers began opening. Ancients associated the month with Aphrodite (or Venus), the goddess of love, fertility, and marriage.

It’s definitely fitting then for April to be represented by the precious gemstone diamond, the stone of love, strength, and eternal beauty.

Want to learn more about the April birthstone? Come along as we break down diamond history, uses, value, and jewelry. We’ll also go over some popular April birthstone alternatives!

diamond april birthstone

Historical & Cultural Significance of April Birthstone: Diamond

Diamonds are illustrious gemstones that not only commemorate April birthdays, but also the 10th, 60th, and 75th wedding anniversaries.

This April birthstone’s color varies from classic white to virtually any color. Those born under Aries (March 21 to April 19) may love a fiery red diamond, while those born under Taurus (April 20 to May 20) might enjoy a soft blue or even chocolate diamond.

But how did diamond become the legendary Queen of Gems it is today?

gold ring with 7 diamonds from early 1600s found in TasingePictured above: Gold ring with 7 cut diamonds found in Tåsinge. It weighs 7 grams and can be dated to the first half of the 17th century (translated from Danish) | Image credit: Nationalmuseet, CC-BY-SA-3.0

Ancient Diamond History & Folklore

The earliest known diamonds were mined in ancient India, the only source for centuries. Ancient wealthy Indians, lacking banks, used diamonds as investment currency to store away, like gold today.

The science of testing gem quality now called “gemology” was established in India as Ratna Pariksha or Ratnaparīkṣā, meaning “the examination of gems.”

Many ancients had myths and meanings tied to diamonds:

  • Ancient India: Hindus believed diamonds originated when lightning struck rocks and would attract lightning. The popular Hindu god Krishna was said to have given his lover Radhato a diamond (believed to be the Koh-i-Noor diamond) that reflected her beauty. Indians also believed diamonds provided their wearer invincibility.

  • Egyptians: Diamonds symbolized bravery, power, and the sun. Pharaohs put diamonds in the center of the ankh, the hieroglyph for “life.”

  • Romans: Roman legends surrounding diamond’s origin claimed they were gods’ tears or pieces of falling stars. The Roman god Cupid’s arrows supposedly ended in diamonds.

  • Greeks: One Greek myth goes that Cronos turned a man with intense strength and luck named Adamas — the same as diamond’s etymological root, adamante, meaning “invincible” — into diamond. Greek philosopher Plato described diamonds as the embodiment of celestial beings.

Many societies had similar interpretations of the April birthstone’s meaning: invincibility, love, and divine strength.

As healing stones, some ancients believed diamonds cured poisoning. Folks in Medieval times extended beliefs about diamond’s healing properties to treating everything from heart conditions to depression.

Some opposite beliefs about diamonds being poisonous or cursed spread later, like the infamous legend about the Hope Diamond causing the Titanic to sink.

yellow tiffany diamond necklace worn by audrey hepburnPictured above: The "Tiffany Diamond," once worn by Audrey Hepburn while promoting Breakfast at Tiffany's | Image credit: Adam Fagen on Flickr, CC-BY-SA-2.0

Diamonds in Modern Culture & Society

Europe entered the diamond market in the Middle Ages, but only the wealthy and noble wore the April birthstone. Brazil became the main diamond source in the 1700s, and by the 1800s, diamonds became more widely available.

The modern idea of diamonds being extremely rare and elite may partly come from royal connections like the Hope Diamond or Cullinan Diamond. But the true reason stems from an 1870 marketing campaign collaboration by the De Beers Group and N.W. Ayers.

This campaign brought the famous slogan “A Diamond is Forever,” and the idea that engagement rings must have diamonds. In the 1940s, roughly 10 percent of engagement rings had diamonds, while around 87 percent of engagement rings have this April birthstone today.

Modern media also uses diamonds, such as:

  • “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” sung by Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

  • “Heart of the Ocean,” the fictional blue diamond necklace in James Cameron’s Titanic

  • Diamonds are Forever, the 1956 James Bond novel and 1971 film adaptation

  • Audrey Hepburn’s Tiffany Diamond, worn during promotion for Breakfast at Tiffany’s

  • “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” by the Beatles

… and that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

References aside, what do diamond April birthstones symbolize?

April Birthstone Meaning and Symbolism

The April birthstone diamond is commonly associated with strength, love, protection and prosperity, making it a great gift for loved ones. Below, we go into the April birthstone meanings and symbolism in more detail.

Strength

April birthstones are a symbol of strength, clarity, and vigor. That’s because they are the hardest gemstone and element in nature. They are made of pure carbon, and the layers within the lattice structure make it extremely hard. Contrasting, this durability is the birthstone’s symbol of purity, faith, and everlasting love.

Love

It’s the interplay of gentleness supported by eternal strength that makes diamonds the perfect symbol of marriage. And that’s not all, as the April birthstone, diamonds have powerful healing properties that promote happiness, longevity, and protection.

Protection

In poetic folklore, the April birthstone represents a protective amulet against evil, sickness, death, and the plague.

Prosperity

Diamonds aren’t only forever, they are the “stone of immortality,” and thought to amplify financial fortune and prosperity. It’s the toughness of these stones that makes them suitable for April birthstone jewelry. You can’t wear every gemstone every day, but you can certainly wear a diamond every day because they are so durable.

The diamond’s durability starts with its unique formation.

rough pale pink to purple diamond crystals parcel

Geological Marvel: The Formation of Diamonds

Diamonds form deep within the Earth, around 100 miles underground. Extremely high pressure and temperatures cause carbon atoms to bond into strong, stiff, consistent patterns over billions of years. Then, volcanic activity brings the gems to the surface.

These April birthstones are just composed of carbon, but their particular arrangement of carbon atom bonds makes them the hardest mineral at 10 on the Mohs scale.

Russia and Botswana are the top producers of gem-quality diamonds currently.

Gem-quality white diamonds range from Type Ia, containing up to 0.3 percent nitrogen, to Type IIb, containing boron and virtually no nitrogen.

These classifications are part of how the April birthstones are graded.

The 4 Cs: Understanding Diamond Quality

Diamonds are often certified by a licensed laboratory like the GIA to grade and verify their quality objectively. Having gemstones certified helps with appraisal, insurance, and confidence in a seller’s claims. You can also get your diamond certified for reselling purposes.

Grading the April birthstone involves looking at the four Cs: color, cut, clarity, and carat weight. Our article on the four Cs of diamond quality has more info, but here’s a quick breakdown:

Color

Highest value goes to fully colorless diamonds, or D on the GIA color scale. The lowest point on the scale is Z for pale yellow or brown.

For naturally colored diamonds, value is tied to rarity. The rarest are red; the most common are yellow or brown. Argyle pink diamonds, along with purple, orange, blue, and green diamonds are also rare.

Cut

Faceted diamond cuts are important for maximizing brilliance (white light), fire (colored light), and scintillation (overall sparkle).

Certain cuts can highlight different qualities, but the cut with the most sparkle is also the most popular: the round brilliant.

Cut grades range from Excellent to Poor, with only 0.1 percent being Excellent.

white diamond earrings with round brilliant cutPictured above: Round brilliant cut white diamond earrings

Clarity

Clarity, the degree of visible inclusions and external blemishes, has two grading scales. Fewer inclusions and blemishes means higher value.

The GIA scale has 11 grades, from Flawless or IF (Internally Flawless, no flaws) to I3 (Included, easily visible inclusions to the naked eye). The AGS (American Gem Society) scale is numerical from 0-10, with 0 corresponding to Internally Flawless and 10 corresponding to I3.

The most common clarity in these April birthstones are SI (Slightly Included), VS (Very Slightly Included or VVS (Very, Very Slightly Included).

Carat Weight

Diamonds are weighed in carats – 1 carat = 0.2 grams. Price-per-carat changes with both quality and size. Two diamonds of equal quality can differ in price-per-carat by over twice as much if one is 1 carat and the other is 2 carats.

In the US, most engagement rings have a 1-carat diamond.

One “grade” outside of gemology is the “industrial-grade” diamond.

Diamond coated drill bitsPictured above: Diamond coated 2mm bits, used for drilling materials such as glass | Image credit: Junkyardsparkle, Public domain

Beyond Beauty: Diamonds' Industrial and Scientific Value

Did you know most diamonds are not used for jewelry? As of 2019, roughly 80 percent (by weight) of diamonds worldwide are used in research or industrial applications.

Industrial diamonds can be synthetic or natural. Natural ones are not gem-quality, like the small, dark, and opaque bort. However, synthetic diamonds are often preferred, since they can be customized, duplicated indefinitely, and created with less environmental impact.

Industrial Applications of Diamonds

Some of diamond’s valuable industrial qualities are its hardness, high thermal conductivity, broad optical transmission, and resistance to radiation.

Primarily, industrial diamonds are used as abrasives for grinding, cutting, drilling, and polishing other materials. Diamond windows are used in lasers, spectroscopy equipment, and infrared imaging.

Diamonds are also used in medicine and various technology components. In devices like computers, diamonds help dissipate heat and serve as semiconductors.

Diamonds in Scientific Research and Exploration

The technology and engineering industries have made great strides with diamond applications.

One popular device is the diamond anvil cell (DAC), which helps scientists recreate extreme pressure conditions.

Other experimental uses for diamonds include:

  • Radiation detection

  • Acoustics (e.g. tweeter dome speakers)

  • Treating wastewater contamination

  • Studying brain chemistry (e.g. diamond-coated microelectrodes)

  • Creating quantum computer bits (qubits) in nitrogen-vacancy (NV) diamond centers

MIT researchers in 2020 even started experimenting with changing diamonds’ electrical conductivity without altering the stone’s stability or composition, opening the potential for custom-designing diamonds for different functions.

Cleaning and Caring for your April Birthstone

The best way to clean your April birthstone is to use a mild detergent, soft brush, warm water and lint-free cloths.

Apply detergent, use a soft toothbrush to gently brush your birthstone, and then rinse it under warm water. After you’re done, make sure you dry it with a soft towel. Don’t leave it out to air dry, as this will create spots, similar to water spots that you find on glass.

We also recommend that you take your diamonds to a jeweler every few months, as they will be able to ensure that your April Birthstone is in great condition.

On a more serious note, you may wonder about the conditions of diamond mining and how ethical they are.

miner searches pan for diamonds in sierra leone source of many conflict diamondsPictured above: A miner in Kono District, Sierra Leone searches his pan for diamonds | Image credit: USAID Guinea, Public domain

The Ethical Diamond Dilemma

More conscious consumers today try to avoid “conflict diamonds,” or “blood diamonds,” meaning diamonds mined and sold to finance armed conflicts against governments. Humanitarian issues like forced labor, child soldiers, and loss of life are tied to these diamonds.

Efforts to combat this include the Kimberley Process, a coalition established by the United Nations in 2003 to provide more oversight and transparency on where diamonds come from. Participants in the coalition must meet ethical sourcing criteria for their diamonds to be considered “conflict-free” with a Kimberley Process Certification.

However, even “conflict-free” diamond mining still has major negative impacts on the environment and nearby communities.

This consideration has led many to synthetic (lab-grown) diamonds.

Synthetic diamonds are manufactured but have all the chemical and physical properties of natural diamonds, minus the impurities. They’re created for both industrial and gemstone uses.

Although energy emission is still a negative impact with synthetic diamond manufacturing, these emissions are still 5.5-times lower than the emissions of the most eco-conscious diamond mines, according to a 2020 Stanford comparison.

Still, the negative feelings toward diamonds may have you wondering: is diamond the only birthstone for April? Nope!

4 Alternative April Birthstones

Like non-diamond engagement rings, April birthstone rings and jewelry can also feature other gems.

There are many diamond alternatives, from moissanite to white sapphire. But what are the other April birthstones? The alternative April birthstones are:

  • Sapphire

  • Opal

  • White Topaz

  • Quartz

Below, we’ll look at the properties and meanings of these gems, some of which were considered April birthstones long before diamonds.

Sapphire

blue sapphire engagement ring april birthstone alternative

Did you know diamond wasn’t the original April birthstone? The first historical birthstone lists, derived from Biblical lists of 12 stones, listed April’s birthstone as sapphire.

In fact, Ancient Romans, Italians, Russians, Hebrews and even Arabic cultures considered sapphire to be the April Birthstone, despite the idea of sapphire as a September birthstone today.

Sapphire is thought to bring inner peace and relieves mental tension for those who wear it. Additionally, it helps with depression and promotes self-expression.

Opal

white opal ring april birthstone alternative

The mystical birthstone lists, rooted in ancient Tibetan astrology, list opal as the April birthstone.

Besides Tibetans, ancient Greeks were also known to consider opal the April birthstone. Back then, opals were believed to give the power of foresight to those who bear it.

Today though, opals are thought to absorb and amplify the thoughts, feelings, and characteristics of those who bear them, and to help bring them to the surface.

White Topaz

white topaz ring april birthstone alternative

A modern alternative April birthstone often listed is white topaz, a popular diamond alternative. (You can see their comparison in our white topaz vs diamond guide.)

It is believed that those who possess white topaz will be more conscious of their own thoughts and actions. White topaz is also thought to release stagnant energy, helping the wearer move forward with their life.

Quartz

clear rough quartz ring april birthstone alternative

In Britain, quartz is often referred to as the birthstone for April. The stone is thought to be a stone for clarity, and often a source of inspiration and creativity. Quartz stones can also help with improving your concentration and retaining knowledge.

Pearl

pearl and iolite ring alternative april birthstone

Is pearl an April birthstone? It can be! Just as some consider pearls precious gems like diamonds, the stones are also sometimes considered equal April birthstones.

Though traditionally a June birthstone, pearls reflect the symbolism of love, integrity, and commitment associated with diamonds and April.

Personalized April Birthstone Gifts

For a loved one born in April, an April birthstone makes a thoughtful, personalized gift. Don’t forget: diamonds aren’t exclusively for women! These timeless stones have the brilliance and symbolism to suit anyone.

Some options for April birthstone gifts:

  • Colorless diamond ring

  • Diamond-studded cufflinks

  • Diamond-encrusted whiskey decanter

  • Three-stone diamond necklace pendant (representing parents and a child or three close friends)

  • Colorless loose diamonds to custom-make into a truly unique jewelry item

  • Tennis bracelet with diamond April birthstones

  • Statement colored diamond ring

  • Diamond earrings

  • Diamond-studded watch

Thought diamonds were one-note? Think again! The April birthstone offers limitless variety.

Before you gift diamond jewelry to someone special, be sure to note their favorite colors or browse their Pinterest for inspiration.

white diamond april birthstone pendant

Enjoy April Showers of Diamonds with this Timeless Birthstone!

That concludes our April birthstone article! To learn more about the traditional April birthstone, read our full guide on diamonds here.

Ready to show an April birthday how much you care? Shower them with the eternal love that shines from the heart of a beautiful diamond birthstone.

Find traditional and alternative April birthstones from our hundreds of gemstones available!

四月生日石 - 钻石恒久远

如果您出生在四月,那么您很幸运拥有与您的生日相关的最受欢迎的月度生日石之一。毕竟,钻石是四月生辰石,也是最受尊敬的生辰石之一。四月生日石不仅是更有价值的每月生日石之一;根据MOHS 硬度表,它也是最坚硬的宝石。事实上,它非常坚硬,只能用另一颗钻石切割。

因此,无论您是四月出生的,还是想为四月出生的人购买钻石,您都来对地方了,可以了解更多关于四月生日石的信息——让我们开始吧。

四月生日石的历史

在上个世纪,四月生日石(钻石)已经从一颗漂亮的装饰石变成了明星。但是这块石头的历史可以追溯到远古时代。矿工们首先沿着印度的溪流和河床收集了它们,早在公元前 400-300 年,它们就被富人和皇室所装饰。然而,随着时间的推移,商人通过在节日和市场上交易钻石而将其带入主流。

传统的四月生日石尽管如此,它们仍然是上流社会独有的、高不可攀的装饰品,直到 20 世纪中叶才成为家庭用品。

钻石在古代可能是一种奢侈的配饰,但在中世纪,也就是黑暗时代,它们的受欢迎程度(以及每一种令人愉悦的商品)都黯淡了。他们在大约 200 年的时间里一直处于休眠状态。这并不是说他们完全脱离了社会,但他们肯定不在聚光灯下。

事实上,像红宝石和蓝宝石这样的彩色珠宝更出名。尽管如此,钻石还是有一些特别之处,戴比尔斯的营销活动向世界展示了当他们决定“钻石是永恒的”时,他们是多么特别。我们知道它们很受欢迎。我们知道每个人都喜欢用钻石制作订婚戒指。但他们还提供什么?

四月生日石的意义和象征意义

四月生日石通常与力量、爱、保护和繁荣联系在一起,使它们成为送给所爱之人的绝佳礼物。下面,我们将更详细地探讨四月生日石的含义和象征意义。

力量

四月生日石是力量、清晰度和活力的象征。那是因为它们是自然界中最坚硬的宝石和元素。它们由纯碳制成,晶格结构中的层使其非常坚硬。相比之下,这种耐用性是诞生石纯洁、信念和永恒爱情的象征。

正是永恒的力量支撑着温柔的相互作用,使钻石成为完美的婚姻象征。这还不是全部,作为四月生日石,钻石具有强大的治愈特性,可以促进幸福、长寿和保护。

保护

在诗意的民间传说中,四月生日石代表抵御邪恶、疾病、死亡和瘟疫的护身符。

繁荣

钻石不仅是永恒的,它们还是“不朽之石”,被认为可以增加财富和繁荣。正是这些宝石的韧性使其适合制作四月生日石首饰。您不可能每天都佩戴每颗宝石,但您肯定可以每天佩戴一颗钻石,因为它们非常耐用。

清洁和保养您的四月生日石

清洁四月生日石的最佳方法是使用温和的清洁剂、软刷、温水和无绒布。

涂上清洁剂,轻轻刷洗您的生日石,然后用温水冲洗干净。完成后,确保用柔软的毛巾擦干。不要让它风干,因为这会产生斑点,类似于您在玻璃上发现的水斑。

我们还建议您每隔几个月将钻石带到珠宝商那里,因为他们能够确保您的四月生日石完好无损。

最好的四月生日石礼物

我们都知道有人在四月生日,而钻石是一份贴心的生日石礼物!别忘了,钻石并非女性专属。事实上,它们适合任何珍视其象征意义和光彩的人。当您赠送某人四月生日石时,您就是在赠予他们完全个性化的礼物。以下是四月生日石首饰的一些选择:

  • 三石钻石项链吊坠(代表一对夫妇和孩子,或三个亲密的朋友)

  • 您所爱之人最喜欢的颜色的钻石耳环

  • 您可以将彩色裸钻定制成独一无二的珠宝首饰

  • 网球手链,饰有四月生日石钻石

  • 颜色鲜艳的个性戒指

  • 各种白钻

如果您认为钻石是单一的或单一的,那么现在您会发现四月生日石的种类繁多!如果您想将钻石首饰作为礼物送给特别的人,请务必记下笔记:询问他们最喜欢的颜色或浏览 Pinterest 寻找灵感。别忘了购买我们的待售裸钻系列!

准备好向四月的生日展示你有多在意了吗?用一颗美丽的钻石生日石中心闪耀的永恒之爱沐浴他们。

4 种可供选择的四月生日石

正如承诺的那样,我们还将讨论 4 种可供选择的四月生日石。是的,钻石是传统的四月生日石。不过,不同的文化将其他生日石与四月相关联。它们如下:

  • 蓝宝石

  • 蛋白石

  • 白托帕石

  • 石英

下面,我们将逐一介绍这些替代宝石的特性,其中一些早在钻石出现之前就被用作四月生日石。

蓝宝石

古罗马人、意大利人、俄罗斯人、希伯来人甚至阿拉伯文化都认为蓝宝石是四月的生日石。蓝宝石被认为可以为佩戴者带来内心的平静并缓解精神紧张。此外,它有助于缓解抑郁症并促进自我表达。

蓝宝石宝石替代四月生日石蛋白石

众所周知,西藏人将蛋白石称为四月生日石,古希腊人也是如此。当时,蛋白石被认为可以赋予拥有它的人以先见之明的力量。然而今天,蛋白石被认为可以吸收和放大持有它们的人的思想、感受和特征,并帮助它们浮出水面。

蛋白石宝石是另一种四月生日石白托帕石

许多珠宝公司将白色托帕石作为替代的四月生日石进行宣传。相信拥有白托帕石的人会更加注意自己的思想和行为。人们还认为,白色托帕石可以释放停滞的能量,帮助佩戴者向前迈进。

白色托帕石是另一种四月生日石石英

在英国,石英通常被称为四月的生辰石。石头被认为是清晰的石头,通常是灵感和创造力的源泉。石英石还可以帮助提高您的注意力和保留知识。

石英是另一种四月生日石结论

我们的四月生日石文章到此结束!如果您想了解有关传统四月生日石的更多信息,那么您可以在此处阅读我们的完整钻石指南。如果您想为自己或您所爱的人购买钻石或四月生日石,请随时点击以下链接之一。

购买钻石

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