Diamonds  

birthstone of April.

  Legend/History:

Diamonds are thought to have been first recognized and mined in India at least 2,500 years ago. The earliest written reference can be found in a Buddhist text, which was completed around 296 BCE and describes diamond's hardness, luster, and dispersion. They quickly became associated with divinity, being used to decorate religious icons, and were believed to bring good fortune to those who carried them. Ownership was restricted by color, with only kings being allowed to own all colors of diamonds. The name “diamond” derives from the ancient Greek adamas (“invincible”).

Diamonds have been used in drill bits and engraving tools that date to early human history. Popularity of diamonds has risen since the 19th century because of increased supply, improved cutting and polishing techniques, growth in the world economy, and innovative and successful advertising campaigns.

  Attributes:

Diamond is the hardest known natural material, and is the more costly of the two best known forms of carbon with graphite being the other well know form. Diamonds have a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale, as a point of reference: Calcite is a 3, Flourite is a 4, Apatite is a 5, Labradorite is a 6, Amethyst is a 7, Topaz is an 8, and a Sapphire is a 9.

The hardness of diamonds contributes to its use as a gemstone. It maintains its polish extremely well because it can only be scratched by other diamonds, keeping its luster over long periods of time. Unlike many other gems, it is well-suited to daily wear because of its resistance to scratching, perhaps contributing to its popularity as the preferred gem in an engagement ring or wedding ring, which are often worn every day.

Industrial use of diamonds has historically been associated with their hardness; this property makes diamond the ideal material for cutting and grinding tools. As the hardest known naturally occurring material, diamond can be used to polish, cut, or wear away any material, including other diamonds. Common industrial adaptations of this ability include diamond-tipped drill bits and saws, or use of diamond powder as an abrasive. Industrial-grade diamonds are either unsuitable for use as gems or synthetically produced, which lowers their value and makes their use economically feasible.

Diamonds produce a high dispersion of visible light. The innate ability for diamonds to split white light into its component colors is an important aspect of the diamond's attraction as a gemstone, giving it the impressive prismatic action that results in the “fire” in a well-cut stone. They are commonly judged by the “Four Cs”: carat, clarity, color, and cut.

  Metaphysical Properties: