April's Birthstone Is the Diamond: Meaning, History and Gift Ideas
Born in April? Your birthstone is the diamond, the hardest and arguably the most storied gem of all. What it symbolises, where the tradition comes from, and gift ideas.
If you were born in April, you drew the long straw: your birthstone is the diamond. It is the hardest natural material on earth, the traditional gem for 60th and 75th wedding anniversaries, and a symbol of strength, clarity and lasting love.
What the diamond symbolises
The word diamond comes from the Greek adamas, meaning unconquerable or invincible. Over the centuries the stone has been linked with courage, purity and endurance. Today its meaning is mostly about permanence: a diamond is chosen to mark something meant to last, whether a marriage, a birth or a milestone birthday.
A very short history of birthstones
The idea of linking gems to months is ancient, and is often traced to the twelve stones of the High Priest's breastplate described in the Book of Exodus. The modern list most jewellers use was standardised in the USA in 1912 by the national association of jewellers, and has been updated a few times since. Through all the changes, April has stayed with the diamond.
Diamond gift ideas for April birthdays
- A first pair of diamond studs for a teenager or graduate. Small stones (around 0.1 to 0.25 carat each) look delicate and suit any age.
- A solitaire pendant for a milestone birthday: 30, 40, 50 or beyond.
- A diamond eternity or stacking ring, which can be added to on future birthdays.
- A tennis bracelet for a once-in-a-decade celebration.
- A loose diamond to be set later, for a newborn's first April, with the report kept for the future.
Pendants for an April birthday
Choosing a diamond that suits the birthday
Choose the piece first, then the stone. For pendants and studs, cut quality makes the biggest difference to sparkle; colour from G to H and clarity from VS2 to SI1 look white and clean to the eye at small sizes. Lab-grown diamonds make it possible to give a larger or better-quality stone within the same budget, which is why many April birthday gifts are now lab-grown.
What is the birthstone for April?
The diamond. Some alternative lists also give clear quartz or white sapphire.
Is a lab-grown diamond still a birthstone?
Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, so a lab-grown stone is just as much an April birthstone as a mined one.
Which anniversary is the diamond for?
Traditionally the 60th wedding anniversary, and often the 75th as well.
