![]() “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” sung by Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Modern media also uses diamonds, such as: In the 1940s, roughly 10 percent of engagement rings had diamonds, while around 87 percent of engagement rings have this April birthstone today. This campaign brought the famous slogan “A Diamond is Forever,” and the idea that engagement rings must have diamonds. But the true reason stems from an 1870 marketing campaign collaboration by the De Beers Group and N.W. ![]() The modern idea of diamonds being extremely rare and elite may partly come from royal connections like the Hope Diamond or Cullinan Diamond. Brazil became the main diamond source in the 1700s, and by the 1800s, diamonds became more widely available. Pictured above: The "Tiffany Diamond," once worn by Audrey Hepburn while promoting Breakfast at Tiffany's | Image credit: Adam Fagen on Flickr, CC-BY-SA-2.0Įurope entered the diamond market in the Middle Ages, but only the wealthy and noble wore the April birthstone. Some opposite beliefs about diamonds being poisonous or cursed spread later, like the infamous legend about the Hope Diamond causing the Titanic to sink. Folks in Medieval times extended beliefs about diamond’s healing properties to treating everything from heart conditions to depression. Many societies had similar interpretations of the April birthstone’s meaning: invincibility, love, and divine strength.Īs healing stones, some ancients believed diamonds cured poisoning. Greek philosopher Plato described diamonds as the embodiment of celestial beings. 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. The Roman god Cupid’s arrows supposedly ended in diamonds. Romans: Roman legends surrounding diamond’s origin claimed they were gods’ tears or pieces of falling stars. Pharaohs put diamonds in the center of the ankh, the hieroglyph for “life.” Indians also believed diamonds provided their wearer invincibility.Įgyptians: Diamonds symbolized bravery, power, and the sun. 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. Many ancients had myths and meanings tied to diamonds:Īncient India: Hindus believed diamonds originated when lightning struck rocks and would attract lightning. ![]() The science of testing gem quality now called “gemology” was established in India as Ratna Pariksha or Ratnaparīkṣā, meaning “the examination of gems.” Ancient wealthy Indians, lacking banks, used diamonds as investment currency to store away, like gold today. The earliest known diamonds were mined in ancient India, the only source for centuries. 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 Pictured above: Gold ring with 7 cut diamonds found in Tåsinge. 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.īut how did diamond become the legendary Queen of Gems it is today? This April birthstone’s color varies from classic white to virtually any color. Historical & Cultural Significance of April Birthstone: Diamondĭiamonds are illustrious gemstones that not only commemorate April birthdays, but also the 10th, 60th, and 75th wedding anniversaries. We’ll also go over some popular April birthstone alternatives! Want to learn more about the April birthstone? Come along as we break down diamond history, uses, value, and jewelry. It’s definitely fitting then for April to be represented by the precious gemstone diamond, the stone of love, strength, and eternal beauty. Ancients associated the month with Aphrodite (or Venus), the goddess of love, fertility, and marriage. The month of April is probably named from the Latin aperire, meaning “to open,” because plants like flowers began opening. Why? Because the traditional April birthstone is the iconic diamond, the most well-known gemstone in the world. Those born in April may be luckiest of all.
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