Introduction

Birthstones symbolize the month of birth according to the Gregorian calendar

And every month of the year has at least one different gemstone associated with it and includes both precious and semi-precious stones.

The history of birthstones

Gemstones have been worn for thousands of years as items of jewellery and beauty. Carried as wealth, as they are normally small, and easily transported or concealed. They have always been highly valued by nobility as a display of power and wealth and were given as high ranking gifts to seek favor or safety.

In respect to birthstones the history is much more recent with Scholars tracing the origins of wearing a stone related to the month of birth back to the Polish in the18Th century. Where, it was worn in silver gemstone set jewellery. But it was not until 1912 that the modern list of birthstones was published by the National Association of Jewelers in the USA. This was updated in October of 2002, with the addition of tanzanite as a birthstone for December and shown below.

January- Garnet

February- Amethyst

March- Aquamarine

April- Diamond

May- Emerald

June- Moonstone

July- Ruby

August- Peridot

September- Sapphire

October- Opal

November- Topaz or Citrine

December- Turquoise or Tanzanite

The Folklore

For over 3000 years gemstones have had their place in folklore. They were associated with many different effects on and protections for the wearer, promoting virtues and helping to avert misfortune. For many centuries people held strong beliefs in the powers of gemstones to heal, protect and ward of evil.

The poetry

Each month has a poem written for the stone of that month and were brought together in 1870 when Tiffany & Co published a pamphlet of all the 12 poems.

The birthstone for April

Diamond is the birthstone for April and is the hardest substance known to man. The name diamond is thought to originate from the Latin word "Adamas" which means unconquerable and relates to the diamonds hardness.

It is made from carbon that has been exposed to extreme pressure and temperature deep underground. Today there are over 30 diamond mines producing around 130 million carats a year at a value of around six billion pounds.

History and folklore of diamonds

Historical records show that Diamonds were used some 3000 years ago with the earliest discoveries in India. Because of their extreme hardness, it was not until some two and a half thousand years later in the 16th century that a way was found to cut and facet diamonds.

In Roman times diamonds were worn on the left arm against the skin [as it was believed they should be touching the skin] by soldiers to increase their bravery and courage in winning the battle over their enemies. Diamonds were worn on silver jewellery in the belief that they would ward against insanity, increase inner strength, give clarity to the mind and aid the building loving relationships. With health in mind, they have been said to ease illnesses of the brain, aid recovery with pituitary gland problems and as a remedy against poisoning.

The birthstone poem for April

She who from April dates her years,

Diamonds shall wear, lest bitter tears

For vain repentance flow; this stone,

Emblem of innocence, is known.

On a personal note, I think diamonds are overvalued and over rated with their popularity in modern times being gained through clever advertising. There are other gemstones in my eyes that do the job just as well and at a much lower price point. Some examples are the clear forms of Topaz, Sapphire, Goshenite [a clear form of beryl] and clear quartz. Where these stones are used in silver jewellery ether in statement pieces or as accents for other gemstones they look beautiful.

What is your view on diamonds and their price? Do you think as I do that other gemstones are just as beautiful in jewellery? Or do you think that the high price of diamonds makes them the gemstone you desire above all others?