April's birthstone is the diamond, pure carbon at 10 on the Mohs scale, usually colorless but also found in yellow, brown, pink, blue and more.
The diamond has been April's stone since the American list of 1912, and unlike March or August, the month has never gained a second option in the United States. Spring rain and clear light make an easy match for a colorless gem, though diamonds also come in so-called fancy colors such as yellow, pink and blue. As the hardest gem on any birthstone list, it is also the sturdiest choice for a ring meant to be worn for decades.
Its name comes from the Greek adamas, meaning invincible, and diamond has traditionally stood for clarity and strength. Since the 15th century it has also been linked with engagement and lasting love, a role that grew into one of the most familiar customs in Western jewelry. The stone marks the 60th and 75th wedding anniversaries, two of the latest milestones a marriage can reach.
Diamond is crystallized carbon and the only gem on the American birthstone list to reach 10 on the Mohs scale. Most are colorless, while fancy colors include yellow, brown, pink and blue. Major sources today include Botswana, Russia, Canada, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Australia; India and Brazil were important historic origins. Hardness does not make a setting permanent, which is why jewelers recommend periodic checks.
Most diamonds handle an ultrasonic cleaner well. Heavily included or treated stones are better washed by hand in warm water with mild soap and a soft toothbrush. Diamond can scratch every other gem, so it should not be tossed loose into a box with other pieces, and a periodic check by a jeweler confirms that prongs and settings are still secure.
| US list | UK list | Japanese list (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Diamond | Diamond(Rock crystal) | DiamondMorganite |
Not on the American list. The UK's National Association of Jewellers names clear quartz, also called rock crystal, as an April alternative, but Jewelers of America and the American Gem Society list diamond alone.
Yes. The birthstone is diamond as a mineral, not one particular color. Colorless stones are the most familiar, yet yellow, brown, pink, blue and other fancy colors are diamonds just the same.
JanuaryGarnet
FebruaryAmethyst
MarchAquamarine
AprilDiamond
MayEmerald
JunePearlMoonstoneAlexandrite
JulyRuby
AugustPeridotSpinel
SeptemberSapphire
OctoberOpalTourmaline
NovemberTopazCitrine
DecemberTurquoiseTanzaniteZirconBirthstones are a jewelry and cultural tradition, and their meanings are folklore. Gem facts are compiled from public material by GIA, the American Gem Society and Jewelers of America.