April Birthstone: Diamond
For thousands of years, diamonds have been highly touted and sought after. While the narrative has changed as time passed, nearly every society in recent human history has held diamonds in a class of their own. Whether they fought off infection from the plague, protected the brain, or brought good fortune to relationships, diamonds have been symbols of clarity, strength, beauty, and happiness for centuries.
Historians believe diamonds have been traded as early as 400 B.C.E in ancient India. The world’s diamond trade began there, and until supplies began to thin, almost all of the diamonds were coming from this region. Later, Brazil was discovered to be home to massive diamond deposits. Since then, diamonds have been found in Canada, Russia, Australia, South Africa, and more. Even though they can be found all across the planet, the mining process is much more tedious than might be let on. Studies indicate the average yield for a diamond mine is 1 part diamond per 1 million parts rock. This is part of why diamonds can be expensive. Labor, resources, and time all factor into pricing the world’s hardest gemstone. The only stone to register a 10 on the Mohr’s Scale of Hardness, this means a diamond can only be cut or scratched by another diamond.
Widely recognized, most diamonds have the clear color we all know and love; however, they can be found in virtually any color. The hue a diamond has can be traced back to other chemicals that were present when the stone was originally formed with red, blue, and green being the rarest to find. This is especially important to remember, because the oldest diamonds found have been traced back to over 3 billion years ago. Obviously the planet was a totally different place back then. More volatile, volcanically active, and desolate, but these conditions were ideal for the formation of diamonds. Ancient societies had different beliefs of how diamonds were formed, some thought lightning strikes were to blame and others believed they were tears of God dropped down to the surface. Nowadays, we know they form 75+ miles under Earth’s surface while faced with extreme heat and pressure. They can also be formed amongst the cosmos. There are galactic gas clouds that contain all of the elements and chemicals necessary to form this beloved gemstone. While diamonds are formed in different ways, the results are identical (this is important to remember for later).
In more recent history, diamonds have become symbols of love and marriage, thanks to the widespread acceptance of diamond engagement rings. The first diamond engagement ring is believed to have been used by Archduke Maximillion of Austria, and given to Mary of Burgundy in 1477. This historical wedding deserves thanks from modern-day jewelers everywhere. Since then, the diamond engagement ring has only risen in popularity, and today, diamond rings are far and away the most common form of engagement rings. Diamonds are also used in everyday fashion jewelry from earrings, rings, necklaces to bracelets and brooches. The diamond train doesn’t stop here, as they are commonly used to celebrate and commemorate 60th and 75th wedding anniversaries. Wherever there is love in your life, diamonds are sure to be nearby.
Thanks to advances in science and technology, we now have an amazing understanding of the formation of diamonds, as well as other coveted gemstones. We have even advanced enough to a point where laboratories are able to replicate the conditions where diamonds are formed. These marvels of modern science are known simply as Lab Grown Diamonds. Lab diamonds have been in production since the mid-1900s, and the methodology has only improved since then. HPHT (high pressure high temperature) and CVD (chemical vapor deposition) are the two methods used in labs to create diamonds from scratch. HPHT is the simulation of the process that takes place here on Earth, while CVD mimics the conditions within cosmic gas clouds that also form diamonds. Lab diamonds are marvels of modern science, and are available for purchase. Some of the more notable benefits are:
- The price point: you get more diamond for a fraction of the cost
- Conflict free: while most of the major diamond distributors have policy in place to prevent unsafe working conditions, lab diamonds ensure your stone was ethically produced in a lab, far away from these mines
- Green: the staggering amount of earth that has to be churned over to find diamonds has added up throughout the years, and it’s become a concern for more eco-friendly buyers
- Customizability: perhaps the most exciting feature, lab diamonds can be created to fit your exact specifications - size, color, cut, etc. These diamonds are flawless and can only be distinguished from natural diamonds with a proper test by GIA, AGS, etc.
Whether you want to do your part in saving the planet, want to sidestep any possible humanitarian issues, want to save some money for your wedding, or want the stone of your dreams custom made for you, consider lab grown diamonds for your next purchase
Shop CLT Jewels today for the best selection of antique and vintage estate jewelry. Stop by Malak Jewelers today to browse our collection of diamond jewelry, other gemstones, diamond engagement rings and wedding bands, 22k gold, estate jewelry, rings, earrings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets, and other fine jewelry. We are located in South Charlotte, North Carolina, in The Arboretum Shopping Center at the corner of Providence Road and Pineville-Matthews / Highway 51. We are open from 10am-6pm Monday-Saturday.
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