Yes, the diamond is the birthstone of the month of April.
Diamond Color
Diamonds are best known to be colorless, but are actually also available in a variety of other colors, including champagne (yellow), cognac (brown), red, pink, purple, blue, and green. Colorless diamonds are usually the most popular, because they are sought-after gemstones for engagement rings. When it comes to colorless diamonds, the less colour they exude the more rare and more valuable they are, but natural colour diamonds are also extremely beautiful. Red, pink, blue and green diamonds are actually more rare than colorless diamonds and can often also be more valuable.
Diamonds are graded from D to Z on the colour scale established by the Gemological Institute of America, commonly known as the GIA. D graded diamonds are completely colorless and extremely rare. F and E graded diamonds appear colorless to the human eye, but have minor traces of colour when viewed by gemologists under extreme magnification. H and G graded diamonds are also near colorless, but when placed next to a D graded diamond have a very slight colour to them. J and I graded diamonds have a very slight, warm colour tone. Z-K diamonds have very noticeable colour and are far less valuable.
Diamond Carat Weight
Carat weight is the weight measurement used to determine a diamond’s weight, not its size. The carat weight of a diamond impacts its value and, because larger diamonds are more rare, smaller diamonds cost less per carat than larger diamonds of the same colour, cut, and clarity. Because diamonds are the hardest, most durable gemstones on earth, they can appear smaller by carat when compared to other gemstones, simply because they weigh more.
Diamond Cut
Diamonds are known for their sparkle and it is the cut of a diamond that determines its brilliance, fire, and scintillation. Brilliance is the term used to describe the way light interacts with a diamond, fire refers to the rainbow colors a diamond reflects, and scintillation describes the play of light that a diamond creates when it is moved. Ideally cut, diamonds reflect and refract nearly all the light that penetrates them which, in turn, results in more sparkle.
It is the cut of a diamond that is most important to its appearance as a well-cut diamond will actually appear larger and more clear than a poorly cut diamond. For this reason, Gemdaia takes care to source ideally cut diamonds.
The cut of a diamond is often mistaken for the shape of the diamond but, in fact, the cut refers to the perfection of each particular shape. Popular diamond shapes are brilliant-round, cushion-cut, oval-cut, princess-cut, pear-cut, marquise-cut, emerald-cut, and the heart-shaped cut.
Diamond Clarity
The clarity of diamonds is determined by the size and visible nature of internal inclusions and external blemishes, which directly impact a diamond’s value. While diamonds are popular gemstones, about 80% of all diamonds are too cloudy and flawed to carry value. The remaining 20% of diamonds vary in clarity grade from flawless (FL) to heavily included (I3), as determined by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
Flawless diamonds have no internal or external imperfections and are extremely rare, and therefore the most costly. Internally flawless (IF) diamonds have no internal imperfections. Very very slightly included diamonds (VVS1 and VVS2) have slight imperfections visible only under 10x magnification. Very slightly included diamonds (VS1 and VS2) have imperfections that are very difficult to pinpoint with the naked eye. Slightly included diamonds (SI1 and SI2) have imperfections that may be visible to the naked eye. Included diamonds (I1, I2, and I3) have minor, visible inclusions.
With the wide range of diamond clarity grades available, our Gemdaia gemstone experts take care to thoroughly examine each diamond we source, ensuring the minimum clarity is SI2, to ensure that you receive the best value for your investment.
Diamond Origins
Formed billions of years ago, diamonds are a result of extreme heat and pressure deep within our earth’s crust that caused carbon atoms to crystallise. Under these intense conditions, magna erupted and brought the crystalized diamonds closer to our earth’s surface.
It is believed that the first diamonds were mined 4000 years ago along the banks of river Krishna, Penner, and Godavari in India. Historians believe India began trading diamonds in the 4th century BC. Decades later, in the 1700s, Brazil discovered a large source of diamonds.
Today, there are diamond mines all over the world, most importantly in Angola, Botswana, Canada, Russia, and South Africa. Unfortunately, as with most items of value, corruption and unethical sourcing is common in the diamond trade, which is why Gemdaia has cultivated relationships with ethical mines to support conflict-free diamond mining.
Diamond Meaning
Believed to bring strength to the wearer, diamonds are a symbol of purity, love, and eternity, making them a popular choice for engagement rings and wedding rings. The first wedding ring featuring a diamond was given to Mary of Burgundy in 1477, which began a trend in Europe among aristocrats and noble families. When diamonds were later discovered in South Africa their availability increased and, as such, so did their affordability.
Legends from varying cultures describe diamonds in a very favorable light. Diamonds are said to amplify energy and provide immortality. Cupid’s arrows are believed to be tipped with diamonds, and Plato referred to diamonds as living beings that embodied angel spirits.
The diamond is the birthstone of the month of April and the gemstone of the 60th and 75th wedding anniversary.
Diamond Durability
The only gemstone made of a single element, the diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance on earth and its incredible strength makes it highly durable and ideal for everyday wear. As such, the word diamond is derived from “adamas,” the Greek word for invincible. The only substance that can scratch the surface of a diamond is another diamond.
Diamond Enhancements
Various treatments and enhancements are available to improve the quality of a diamond by modifying its inclusions and enhancing its colour. Such modifications include laser drilling clarity treatments aimed at removing black carbon inclusions, internal crack filing to make inclusions less visible, and colour modifications which can turn yellow or brown diamonds into shades of blue or pink. Many treatments have permanent, lasting effects, while others may not be as stable. For this reason, untreated diamonds tend to be more valuable than treated diamonds. All treated diamonds are required to be disclosed as such and Gemdaia only deals in completely natural, untreated diamonds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Diamonds were formed billions of years ago as a result of extreme heat and pressure deep within our earth’s crust. The intense conditions caused carbon atoms to crystallise and when magma erupted, the diamonds were brought closer to our earth’s surface.
Diamonds were first found in India and later in Brazil. Today, diamonds are found all over the world, most importantly in Angola, Botswana, Canada, Russia, and South Africa.
Diamonds are mined from kimberlite well below our earth’s surface, in three ways: alluvial mining, marine mining, and pipe mining. Once brought to the surface, the piles of mined earth are taken to a screening plant where the diamonds are extracted. Because there is a lot of unethical mining and sourcing of diamonds, it is important to purchase diamonds from an ethical company, like Gemdaia.
Diamonds are cut using a laser cutter or a steel blade saw. To hold a rough diamond in place while it is cut, a wax or cement mold is usually used. Bruting is the technique used to cut a diamond into a brilliant round shape and typically involves a laser cutter, and the use of other diamonds.
Diamonds are not actually that rare, however, high-quality and ethically-mined diamonds that are beautifully cut, and have brilliant color and clarity are rare. To ensure you receive the best value for your investment, we source the very best diamonds, and provide an independent certificate of authenticity with every purchase.
Yes, diamonds are an excellent investment. High-quality diamonds, like the diamonds we source at Gemdaia, are very valuable and, because they are also incredibly tough, they can be passed down from generation to generation, making them a prized investment and family heirloom.