About Diamond
Diamond is pure carbon crystallised under extreme pressure (45–60 kilobars) and heat (900–1,300°C) deep within the Earth's mantle – typically 150–200 km below the surface. It is the hardest natural material known, rating 10 on the Mohs scale, and has the highest thermal conductivity of any natural material at room temperature.
Diamonds are brought to the surface by volcanic eruptions via kimberlite pipes. The world's top producers are Russia (Alrosa), Botswana (Debswana), and Canada. A diamond's quality is assessed by the "4 Cs" – Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat weight.
Diamond Meaning & Symbolism
The name comes from the Greek adamas – "invincible" or "unconquerable." This perfectly captures diamond's dual nature: incomparable physical hardness and an almost supernatural brilliance. Ancient Greeks believed diamonds were tears of the gods or splinters of falling stars.
Diamond is associated with the crown chakra – it amplifies the energy of all other stones, brings clarity of mind, and activates the highest spiritual faculties. It symbolises commitment, fidelity, and the eternal nature of love – which is why it became the standard stone for engagement rings.
Healing Properties
Emotional
Diamond clears emotional and mental pain, reducing fear and bringing about new beginnings. It encourages courage and invincibility. It is said to bond relationships by enhancing love and commitment between partners.
Spiritual
As an amplifier, diamond magnifies the energy of whatever surrounds it – both positive and negative. Used in meditation, it is said to create a direct channel to the divine. Ancient Hindu texts placed diamond among the most sacred of all gemstones, associating it with the planet Venus.
History & Lore
The earliest recorded diamonds were found in India, where they were traded along the Silk Road as early as 400 BC. For centuries, India was the world's only source. The first European engagement ring featuring a diamond was given by Archduke Maximilian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy in 1477 – beginning a tradition that endures today.
How to Wear and Use Diamond
Diamond is the hardest mineral on Earth at 10 on the Mohs scale, and that makes it the one stone here you can wear every day without thinking about scratches. It is precisely why it became the engagement stone: a ring survives decades of constant wear.
Hardness is not the same as toughness, though. Diamond has cleavage, and a precise knock on the right plane can split it — which is why rings come off for sport and manual work.
April Zodiac Signs and Their Stones
Aries until 19 April, Taurus from the 20th. Diamond is traditionally given to Aries: both are associated with directness and going first. Taurus is more often pointed towards emerald and rose quartz — slower, more grounded stones that sit closer to the sign's character.
If diamond feels too formal a stone to work with, Aries is also given garnet and carnelian, and Taurus green aventurine.
How to Cleanse and Charge Diamond
Water, sunlight and salt all leave diamond untouched — nothing else in this list is as durable. Warm water with mild soap and a soft brush is the standard clean, and it is usually all that is needed: diamond attracts grease, and a dull stone is almost always just a dirty one.
The one exception is stones with visible inclusions or fractures, which should stay out of ultrasonic cleaners. Store diamond separately — it will scratch every other stone in the box.
How to Spot a Fake Diamond
The usual substitutes are cubic zirconia and moissanite. Cubic zirconia is heavier than diamond and noticeably less crisp in its brilliance. Moissanite is harder to catch: it is doubly refractive, so looking down through the stone you can see the back facet edges appear doubled — something diamond never does.
The fog test works reasonably well at home. Diamond conducts heat so efficiently that breath clears from it almost instantly, while cubic zirconia stays misted for a couple of seconds. For anything expensive, none of this replaces certification.
Questions People Ask
What is the birthstone for April?
Diamond, which is also the hardest mineral on Earth at 10 on the Mohs scale — the only birthstone genuinely suited to constant daily wear.
Can diamond go in water?
Yes, and it should. Warm water with mild soap and a soft brush restores the brilliance, because diamond attracts grease. Only heavily included stones should avoid ultrasonic cleaners.
Can a diamond chip or break?
Yes. Hardness and toughness are different things: diamond does not scratch, but it has cleavage and a precise knock can split it. Take rings off for physical work.
How do I tell a diamond from moissanite?
Look down through the stone at the far facet edges. Moissanite is doubly refractive so they appear doubled. Diamond never does this.
Where to get Diamond
If you want to wear or work with Diamond as a physical stone, here are three forms commonly used.
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