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
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.
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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