Engagement Rings & Other Gifts For April Babes

We don’t usually follow monthly birthstones and gemstones of the zodiac too closely, but there are some we definitely love, and our favourite is (no prizes for guessing) this month’s, because the birthstone for April is the DIAMOND!

WHAT IS A DIAMOND?

So much that can be said about a diamond, and we do enjoy talking about them, a lot. But what about just the basic facts? Some of these truths are fascinating.

Did you know that:

Diamonds are carbon crystals and they are the hardest natural material. They are actually 58 times harder than anything else on the planet (this is an uncanny fact, as many diamonds, such as the most popular of them all – the Round Brilliant – is cut with 58 facets).

Most diamonds formed over a billion years ago; it takes between 1 billion and 3 billion years for nature to create a diamond, forming around the layers in the earth about 100-150 kilometres below the surface, under extremely high temperature and pressure conditions.

Diamonds are the only gemstone comprised of the one single element – carbon.

The word ‘diamond’ comes down from the Ancient Greek word 'adamas' which means unbreakable, indestructible, unconquerable.

Diamonds also come in blue, green, pink, red, orange, champagne and even black; these are called ‘fancy’ coloured diamonds.

India used to be the world’s main supplier of diamonds, from the 15^th century to the 18^th century; then the main source became Brazil, then in the 19^th century the action moved to South Africa. Australia is also a significant supplier.

Diamonds are the April birthstone, and also mark 60^th and 75^th wedding anniversaries.

WHY ARE DIAMONDS THE APRIL BIRTHSTONE?

Diamonds have been the dominant birthstone for April for hundreds of years. There are other stones linked to people born in April as well, which are the gemstones connected with the zodiac signs of Aries and Taurus. The main ones being emeralds, sapphires and topaz. But, depending on who you ask, April babies should also like amethyst, aquamarine, citrine, carnelian and black onyx!

Although diamonds are not the only precious stone which we associate with love, they are arguably the foremost. In Ancient Rome people thought that the arrows of Cupid had diamond tips. They believed that romantic love and diamonds were related. Since the classical era, diamonds have also been consonant with concepts of strength, honesty, longevity, luck, vitality and courage.

In medieval times the diamond was formally deemed to be the birthstone of April. When such canons were recorded during the Middle Ages, it was said that people born in April would grow up to be nurturing and caring and would enjoy lasting relationships. It was believed that diamonds increased the strength of the wearer.

Whilst we may not pay much heed to such notions in this day and age, we still have customs and traditions which are widely observed, such as the giving of engagement and wedding rings. And no stone is more often used than the diamond, particularly for engagement rings.

WHY DIAMONDS FOR ENGAGEMENT RINGS?

When diamonds were first discovered by humans and cut and polished up to be precious stones, they were used as decorative objects and talismans for repelling evil. It was also thought that diamonds protected against disease. Members of the ruling classes were allowed to wear the white or colourless stones which were emblems of ‘purity’. They slowly began to be used in jewellery design, but it was not for a long time that they would become the go-to stone for engagement rings. Early engagement rings were simple bands of gold. In recent centuries, the most common stones seen on engagement rings were rubies and sapphires, and birthstones were also very popular.

There is a view that diamonds became the precious stone of choice for engagement rings in the 20^th century due to the massive advertising campaign by the diamond heavyweight, De Beers. The expression, “A diamond is forever,” was coined by the De Beers marketing team. They controlled the international diamond trade for quite some time. So, there is probably some truth in this. Nowadays, the diamond is definitely the iconic stone of betrothal and marriage. Even children understand the significance of a dazzling diamond ring. They know that it means the wearer is engaged to be married, and that’s exciting!

ENGAGEMENT RINGS FOR APRIL BABES

Engagement rings featuring solitaire diamonds with or centre diamonds with diamond halos or accents are spectacular, and obviously wonderfully fitting for a fiancée to be who was born in the month of April. As mentioned above, there is a long history of giving engagement rings with birthstones; this was the most popular thing to do in the Victorian era. So, just as a romance and a marriage has a story, so the stones on a lover’s ring should tell a story about the wearer. The ring should speak to the person’s style and personality, and why not reference the occasion of their coming into this world, as well.

OTHER GIFT IDEAS FOR APRIL BABES

There are so many possibilities for rings and other jewellery for April sweethearts, which feature the April birthstone. Rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, sets. They look fantastic in all the golds and platinum too. Aren’t April people lucky?

What about a bracelet; a fine yellow gold or platinum chain featuring bezel set diamonds, matched with hoop earrings sporting the sparkling stones of April? Or a tennis bracelet, with a row of gorgeous diamonds; or bracelet sporting a magic pattern of diamonds in Art Deco style?

Perhaps pavé set bar diamond earrings, or a jaw dropping diamond pendant necklace? A pair of sensational studs featuring pear cut diamonds in white gold?

These are just a few examples to whet your appetite. Suffice to say, the list of potential ideas for incredible gifts for your April baby is endless, like your love!