JOHNSON’ S JEWEL LERS DIAMONDS THE BIRTHSTONE FOR APRIL
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This month we look at diamonds, dedicated to those born in the month of April. There are numerous tales of how the love of diamonds first began, although most believe it first started in India. One of the most spiritual and historic countries in the world, Indian inhabitants started to find rough cuttings of diamonds in streams and rivers.
The fire and brilliance radiating from these diamonds is how people knew they were not just any ordinary stone. These newly discovered natural treasures soon began to be collected for the rich and Royalty. Indian trade markets began to cross Europe with diamonds and more and more people became interested in this magical stone. Its appearance is scintillating, whilst proving strong and durable.
As it travelled across the globe, the name diamond originated from the Greek world ‘Adamas’, meaning ‘unbreakable’. By the 1400s, diamonds were becoming fashionable accessories for Europe’s elite. During this early period of diamond trading is when a lot of the healing beliefs first started to blossom. Over the centuries, diamond has been thought to be an antidote to poison and to provide protection against the plague. Some claim that it is a boon for longevity, strength, beauty and happiness.
The birthstone for April is now mined around the world. By the early 2000s, South Africa had been joined by other African nations as major producers of rough diamonds. These include the Democratic Republic of the Congo (previously known as Zaire) and Botswana. The former Soviet Union opened its first major mine in 1960, and Russia is now one of the top producers by both volume and value. Diamond mining expanded dramatically with the opening of the Argyle mine in Australia in 1983 and the discovery of several diamond deposits in northern Canada in the 1990s.
Diamonds are a timeless gemstone. Apart from its unmatched fire and brilliance, it is also extremely practical and highly durable. In fact, diamond is the hardest natural material on earth and has the highest thermal conductivity of any natural material. Additionally, most diamonds you see are colourless, however coloured diamonds are also possible, such as blue, green and yellow.
The most colourless diamond, without any yellow/brown hues, is the most valuable in what is called the cape series. A colourless diamond would be a grade D (highest grade). Not only is colour important, but so is the cut, clarity and carat weight also. Diamonds are available in various shapes and sizes but most excitingly different cuts too from the modern round brilliant cut, classic emerald cuts, majestic oval cuts and many more. The best cut of a diamond for optimal brilliance would be the round cut for sure.
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FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUT Y JOHNSON’ S J EWE L L ERS
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