The Dazzling Diamond is April's Birthstone

Some wags will tell us that a diamond is just a chunk of carbon smashed under millions of tons of rock for a billion years. That doesn't ...quite... capture it, don't you think? Especially when you look at a fine diamond in sunlight and that stunning dazzle burns its way into your brain cells for all time. When your eyes recover you realize that it's evolved somewhat beyond "just a chunk of carbon."

Now for something really exotic... did you know that there might be a star made of diamond? No, not a diamond cut like a star, but a real star in the depths of space. The BBC report is here.

April's Birthstone by Sam Serio:

If you're still young enough to remember your birthday, you probably also remember the special birthstone assigned to it. But at your age, we bet you don't really know the SIGNIFICANCE of your birthstone and what power the ancients felt would be bestowed about you by wearing it.

April Birthstone: Diamond  (Find the Perfect Diamond )

Birthstone Properties: Enhances competence, trust and love

Alternative Birthstone: Opal, Cubic Zirconia

Formed deep within the earth where there is intense heat and pressure, diamonds are simply crystallized carbon.

April's birthstone is the perennial first choice for engagement rings, but is it also the anniversary gem for the 10th and 60th years of marriage when eternity bands and other diamond-detailed rings replace original wedding bands.

The ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were splinters of stars fallen to earth. It was even said by some that they were the tears of the Gods or perhaps crystallized lightning or hardened dew drops. In fact, the exact origin of diamonds is still something of a mystery, even to scientists and geologists.

India is thought to be the first river-bed source of diamond mining. The ancient Hindus called the diamond "Vajra," (lightening) because of the sparks of light that it emits as well as its invincible strength.

Arguably the most beautiful gemstones on the planet, diamonds are also harder than any other substance on earth and found today in Australia, Botswana, Russia and South Africa.

10K Couple's Marquise
Birthstone Name Ring
with Diamond Accent

Dr. Diamond: Diamonds have long been credited for having certain medicinal properties. During the middle ages, these gemstones were thought to heal illness, but only if the ailing person took the diamond into bed to warm it up first!

Of Kings and Queens, Archdukes and Duchesses: Legend has it that Cupid's arrows were tipped in diamonds and over the centuries, this magnificent gemstone has acquired a well-deserved reputation as the ultimate gift of love. In less democratic times, diamonds were reserved for royalty…the only people "entitled" to their symbolism of strength, courage and invincibility. But in 1477, Archduke Maximillian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy and before long the tradition of diamond engagement rings was one embraced by even the most humble brides-to-be and their suitors.

The diamond's white hue signifies life, joy and innocence, but diamonds may be nearly any color in the rainbow plus a wide range of browns, grays, and white. Shades of yellow are most common, followed by colorless. Blue, black, reddish, and greenish are more valuable (some extremely so).

P.S. I Love You: It's interesting to note that a woman wears her diamond on the third finger of her left hand because early Egyptians believed the vena amoris (vein of love) ran directly from the heart to the top of the third finger, left hand. 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 history.

For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of "How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at http://www.morninglightjewelry.com/.

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