April’s birthstone has been the centre of attention for eons. Diamonds have been linked to wealth, true love, and even good health. With all this in mind, it’s no wonder that the world’s strongest substance has such an important role in human history. However, there is still a lot of information people don’t quite know about diamonds. We’ve compiled a list of fast facts for you to better understand April’s birthstone. That’s right, while we won’t be sending out an email for this month, it doesn’t mean we’re going to skip talking about one of our favourite gemstones!

1. Etymology

The word “diamond” is believed to derive from different sources, depending on who you talk to.

Some beliebe the word derives from the Greek work for “indestrictible” or “invinicble,” which is “adamas.”

2. Made of One Ingredient

Diamonds are made of just one single ingredient, which is carbon. Since the formation of atoms prevents any other substance from contaminating this stone, it strengthens the diamond and thus making it the hardest substance known to man.

3. Created from Within

Diamonds can be made several different ways, and each one is amazing since the circumstances have to be just right.

As you may know, diamonds are made when heat and pressure are applied to carbon deep within the Earth inside the mantle. They’re pushed upwards by volcanic activity.

Diamonds can also be formed when tectonic plates shift and collide, pushing carbon further into the Earth and into the subduction zone.

Meteors can also create diamonds. When they land on Earth they can apply enough heat and pressure that can reach carbon deposits. Alternatively, if meteorites contain diamonds, they can enter the Earth through impact.

4. Or in a Lab

Scientists aren’t able to force meteorites down to Earth from space, but they can still create diamonds in their laboratories. Interestingly, they have the same chemical and physical properties as diamonds collected from mines. If you’re looking for jewellery containing April’s birthstone, lab-grown diamonds are always a great alternative.

Many people find them more appealing ethically and financially. Often times they’re considered better for the environment, too. Maybe you should consider that next time you’re looking to create a ring or stock up on new bracelets.

5. Even in the Sky

Some ancient civilizations believed that diamonds were actually sourced from the sky. Tears of the gods, star shards, and solid lightning were three ways that they explained this gemstone’s existence.

6. Old Stones

The oldest known diamond is believed to be four billion years old, however most are one to three billion.

7. Diamond Origins in India

Many people associate the origins of diamonds with India. This is because the first diamonds became popular in India where they were found along rivers and streams.

8. Another Major Exporter Emerged

With the demand for diamonds, India’s supply began to decline as a result during the early 1700s. Around this time, miners were sifting along the Jequitinhonha River in Minas Geraid, Brazil. They struck gold – well, diamonds, actually. The discovery lead to Brazil becoming a major diamond exporter and eventually dominating the market for over 100 years.

9. And Another!

Diamonds were also later discovered in Kimberly, South Africa. In the mid-1800s, Cecil Rhodes, an entrepreneur who owned a mining company was searching for gems. Sometime in the late 1800s and early 1900s, his company became a major exporter, dominating about 90% of the market.

10. The Strongest Substance known to Humans

As mentioned before, the makeup of diamonds is what makes it so strong. What you might not know is that it’s a whole 58 times harder than anything else found in nature. Really makes you feel assured that your diamond jewellery will last a long time, right?

11. The Worth of a Diamond

As mentioned in a previous post, the worth of a diamond is determined by The Four C’s: cut, clarity, colour, and carat. To read up about them, click here.

12. A Stone as Old as Time

Everyone knows that ancient civilizations used to value gemstones, however, many experts would argue that diamonds were traded as early as 4 BC. While they weren’t used in engagement rings at the time, diamonds were valued because of their durability, and were used as a tool, worn with clothing, and aided the sick.

13. Circling the Globe

Diamonds were so popular that they quickly became the must-have gem among wealthy citizens and royal families. During medieval times, caravans would bring the diamonds from India (along with other international goods) to markets in Venice. By the 1400s, Europe’s upper class was surrounded by diamonds. They were included in all their fashion and accessories.

14. A Stone with Healing Powers

These same civilizations believed that diamonds had many healing powers. Depending on the group of people, brain disease, pituitary gland disorders, and toxins in the blood could all be alleviated or even cured with diamonds. It really hits home just how important April’s birthstone really is!

15. The First Diamond Engagement Ring

The first known diamond engagement ring was gifted in 1477 – long before the gem was April’s birthstone. The archduke of Austria, Maximillian gave the ring to Mary of Burgundy, who was essentially his fiance.

16. How Big, How Blue

The biggest known (naturally made) blue diamond is the Hope Diamond. The hue is said to be caused by the amount of boron atoms found in this stone, making this rarity coveted for centuries.

Many believe it was found in India, where it was originally purchased in 1666 by the French gem merchant, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier. At the time, the stone was much larger than what’s on display today at the National History of Natural History in Washinton D.C. That’s because it was cut down to a smaller size.

King Louis XIV bought the gem in 1668, only to have it stolen in 1791. During this time it was cut down yet again, and appeared in a catalog belonging to a banking family in London.

Yet again the Hope Diamond was passed along by many owners but wasn’t seen again until American heiress by the name of Evelyn Walsh McLean bought it. Pierre Cartier (yes, one of those Cartiers) sold it to McLean in 1911 for about $180,000 (roughly $4,625,532.00 by today’s standards).

In 1949 it was purchased once again, this time by Harry Winston, a merchant from New York. He took the Hope Diamond on several tours for many years before donating it to the National Museum of Natural History in 1958 where it sits permanently.

17. The Largest Diamond

Aside from the Hope Diamond, the largest diamond found was 3, 106.75 cts (or 621.35 grams). It was located in a South African mine in 1905 and named after the mine’s chairman, Thomas Cullinan. The Cullinan diamond was a gorgeous stone, however, it wasn’t sold to King Edward VII of the UK until two years later.

Edward had the diamond cut into several different stones. This includes Cullinan I, or the Great Star of Africa. The gem was still a whopping 530.4 ct (106.08g) and was set on the Royal Sceptre with Cross. Cullinan I was so large that the septre had to be redesigned in order to hold the stone.

The other stones run II to IX, all gradually smaller than the one before. All nine stones ended up in accessories for various members of the Royal Family.

18. Everlasting Love

Cupid, the Roman god of love and desire was believed to have arrows that were either covered in diamonds, or the arrowhead was made of diamonds. Even Cupid himself was not immune to the power of his desire-filled arrows, as he was wounded by one of his own and fell for Psyche.

19. Popular Among Thieves

Diamonds have been popular among thieves looking to make big bucks. One of the biggest diamond heists was Antwerp, also known as “the heist of the century.”

In 2003 Leonardo Notarbartolo, a professional thief, led a team of five men to rob the Antwerp Diamond Centre of Belgium. They made out with over $100 million worth of loose diamonds and jewellery, many of which still haven’t been recovered.

That’s right, April’s birthstone is so valuable it’s been coveted for centuries, and will continue to be for more to come.