The April birthstone is Diamond. Happy birthday to all those born in April!
Well where do we start with diamonds? It’s amazing how such a small stone has such power: enough to start wars but on a happier note, to be the symbol of two people sharing the rest of their lives together, whether it be diamonds on the engagement ring, or on the wedding ring!
Image: StyleRocks
Diamond history
Diamonds are one of the oldest gemstones on earth, given that they are actually a form of coal (carbon). When placed under extreme pressure and very high temperatures (from geological forces), they eventually are pushed up through the earth’s crust. But this is not a quick process, this takes some 1-3 billion years!
Diamonds are mined in Central and Southern Africa, as well as Russia, Australia and Canada. More recently though, India and Brazil have yielded some significant deposits.
Why are we so fascinated with diamonds?
Historically these tiny little gemstones were thought to have supernatural powers, warding off panic and spells. They were also thought to amplify thoughts: so ‘good’ becomes ‘great’ and ‘bad’ becomes ‘horrible. The stone of truth and victory, they were worn by many in battle to help claim victory over their enemies.
Their connection with love and relationships is particularly potent: diamonds are also considered to be able to strengthen relationships between couples, hence their usage in marriage proposals.
But let’s not forget the bling factor. Who can’t help but be dazzled by something of such purity and brilliance?!
Amazing diamonds
As always, it’s easy to find much of the annual $30 billion diamond industry on the red carpet! The recent awards season brought some incredible diamonds to showcase, as we saw with Angelina Jolie wearing some incredible 42 carat diamond earrings by Robert Procop at the Oscars, while Helen Mirren wore some impeccably designed Asprey earrings at the BAFTAs.
In terms of some really unusual design, we came across these ‘sliced’ diamonds in these ‘Fierce’ earrings by L’Dezen.
Image: L’Dezen
Aren’t they incredible? Slicing diamonds is a relatively new technique – we love it for providing a new take on a mighty old gemstone. What do you think?
Ms Gingham says: After all, they are a girl’s best friend!
About Pascale: Pascale Helyar-Moray, Founder and Director of StyleRocks has fourteen years of financial services experience as a marketing and communications professional working with blue chip companies in Australia and the UK. Maternity leave forced her to re-examine her career options and in looking for a business she could run from home, created StyleRocks in order to harness her lifelong passion for jewellery.
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