April’s birthstone is the diamond. Since it’s the beginning of spring and a time of rebirth and renewal, it makes total sense the diamond, a symbol of eternal love and unbreakable strength, was chosen as April’s birthstone. The word “diamond” is derived from the Greek word “adamas:” invincible and indestructible. Now you know!

SO many colors! As with other gemstones, you will find diamonds in a variety of colors. Each color carries its own unique symbolism and price tag! Speaking of… the term associated with naturally colored diamonds is “fancy.” Green, red, purple, pink, and blue diamonds are extremely rare, with fancy yellow diamonds being a bit more familiar to us. Carrie Underwood famously sports a five-carat, fancy yellow, round brilliant cut center stone, in her ring designed by celebrity jewelry creator Johnathon Arndt.

Brown diamonds, while considered less valuable than others, can be used to exquisite effect. Tiny diamonds of all colors are often used in custom designs to add depth, texture, contrast, and visual interest. If you have any questions about a custom ring or other jewelry you might like to have made, please be in touch. We regularly design custom engagement rings and other jewelry to mark important life events. Remember to bookmark this page so you always have this handy!

Diamonds start their life far from the beautiful display cases you see today. Deep within the Earth, incredible pressure and heat transforms carbon into rough crystals, just give it a few millions years, et voila! While their uncut shape might not hint at their future brilliance, diamonds in their raw, unpolished form hold the potential to become stunning gems; enduring symbols of strength, love, and timeless beauty.

Famous folks you may know were born in April, including:

• Jane Goodall – April 3
• Marlon Brando – April 3
• Maya Angelou – April 4
• Jackie Chan – April 7
• Leonardo da Vinci – April 15
• Emma Watson – April 15
• Queen Elizabeth II – April 21
• Al Pacino – April 25

Diamond jewelry is incredibly versatile, with ornate vintage, clean modern, and trending contemporary styles available for men and women. From diamond rings and anniversary bands to fashion bracelets and cufflinks, diamonds are everywhere!

When we design custom jewelry for our clients, one of the most frequent requests is that we incorporate a family diamond, or two, or twenty tiny ones, into their custom design. It’s a wonderful way to pay tribute and bring an heirloom from the dark corner of a jewelry box into the light of day.

1. The largest known diamond in the world is the Cullinan Diamond. Uncut, it weighed a whopping 3,106 carats! Discovered in 1905 in South Africa, it was later cut into smaller stones. One of these stones, the “Cullinan I” (aka the Great Star of Africa), is 530.2 carats. This makes it the largest clear-cut, potentially flawless diamond in the world. While there are small surface imperfections, the clarity grade is the best possible.

The Cullinan I is a pendeloque-cut brilliant. A what? Imagine a pear-shaped diamond 4 inches long x 2.50 inches wide x 2.3 inches deep. The Cullinan I has 74 facets and is a modified version of the round brilliant cut. In 1910, the sceptre was redesigned for George V and the Cullinan I diamond was added near the top. Today, you’ll find it set in the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross; part of the crown jewels of the United Kingdom’s British monarchy. Image courtesy of Wikipedia – Thank you!

2. Diamonds are the hardest known natural material on Earth, with a rating 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. Diamonds are so hard and able to diffuse heat so well, that they’re even used to cut hard metals, such as tungsten carbide (which rates 9 to 9.5 on the Mohs scale). And, just in case you’re curious, not even a water jet cannot cut a diamond. You’ll need lasers, special metal saws, diamond grinders, and even other diamonds to get the job done. All this to say, diamonds are incredibly resistant to scratches and abrasions, making them ideal for everyday wear.

3. The Hope Diamond, a rare 45.52-carat blue diamond, is one of the most famous diamonds in the world. Beware though, ironically, it is believed to carry a curse, with a history of misfortune and tragedy associated with its owners. The Hope Diamond is currently on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC.

4. Diamonds are formed deep within the Earth’s mantle, at depths of 87 to 118 miles where temperatures can reach up to 1,832°F; the temperature of molten lava. They are brought closer to the surface via deep-source volcanic eruptions where they are then mined. The Argyle Diamond Mine in Western Australia is the source of the world’s largest supply of rare pink and red diamonds. While the mine produces over 90% of the world’s pink diamonds, let’s put that in perspective.

The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) says, in the last 20 years, only 0.4% of ALL the natural diamonds graded have been fancy colors. Red diamonds, the rarest color of those, are extremely rare. We may find one every 10-15 years or so. In fact, only 20–30 red diamonds have ever been found. So these natural red and pink diamonds are incredibly valuable and sought after by collectors and jewelry enthusiasts with very deep pockets.

At Jewel Box Morgan Hill, we offer a wide range of vintage and contemporary diamond jewelry styles to suit every taste. Our collection includes:

• Timeless solitaire engagement rings
• Elaborate multi-stone engagement designs and wedding rings
• Elegant diamond stud earrings and ear-jackets/halo frames
• Sophisticated diamond pendants and necklaces
• Stylish diamond line/tennis bracelets and casual bangles
• Sophisticated cufflinks, wedding rings, bracelets, and pendants for him

As you celebrate the April birthday of someone special, consider the gift of diamond jewelry. Whether you choose a piece to wear every day or more of a “special occasion” design, the diamond is a timeless symbol of love, strength, and enduring beauty.

Visit Jewel Box Morgan Hill today to see what we have in store and find the perfect piece to make your April birthday celebration even more special.