Diamond: The Birthstone for April

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If you were born in April, your birthstone is the diamond: history’s symbol of love, commitment and endurance. Its name derives from the Greek word “adamas” which means “unconquerable.” A diamond is a truly beautiful gift that will never fade or go out of fashion; it’s an ideal gift to mark a special birthday or anniversary.







History

The first diamonds ever discovered were formed around 900 million years ago and found in India back in 4th Century BC. Transported along the Silk Road between India and China, these first diamonds would have been used as cutting tools as well as jewellery. They were also thought to deter evil spirits, protect soldiers in battle and, during the Dark Ages, were even used as a medical aid.

Even today, diamonds have a wide variety of uses besides jewellery because of the hardness of the stone. Fragments of diamond can be included in drill bits, grinding wheels and saw blades, and they can also be found in high quality speakers to enhance the sound. Diamonds are particularly useful for engraving very hard materials such as granite and quartz, because they will not scratch or break.


Diamond Jewellery

Whether you want a new diamond or choose a vintage one, all diamonds are graded in the same way to determine their value. This is known by jewellers as “The Four Cs”.


The Four Cs

Created by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the Four Cs include Cut, Clarity, Colour and Carat Weight.

Carat – it’s not just gold that’s defined by carat weight, many other gemstones are measured in this way too. For a diamond, one carat is just 0.2 grams, making it one of the most specific gemstone grading systems!

Colour – If you have seen the film “Titanic” you will know that diamonds can be different colours, ranging from light pink, yellow or blue to much more intense shades known as “fancy diamonds”. The slightest change in a diamond’s colour can affect its price greatly.

Clarity – The way a diamond is formed affects how it looks, and how many inclusions it has. Blemishes within a diamond validate its authenticity, so if you have a crystal clear diamond presented to you it will either be extremely expensive, or it is fake!

Cut – Finally, the diamond’s cut is arguably the most important factor to the buyer. A good jewellery designer will be able to identify which cut is best for an individual diamond in order to show it off. A high quality cut will make the diamond sparkle!


We stock a range of diamond jewellery here at Cuttings Jewellers, and can also source diamonds for a bespoke piece if you prefer. Give us a call or pop into see us to see our current stock. 

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