Stone of the Month: Peridot (August)
Peridot has adorned jewellery and sacred objects across continents for thousands of years with its deep greens and yellows anointing it the nickname of 'Gem of the Sun' in Ancient...
BIRTHSTONES BLOG: April
Stone of the Month (April): Diamonds - The Tale of a Girl's Best Friend
Welcome to our second edition of Stone of the Month! Each month, we'll be delving into the properties, history and meaning behind its Birthstone. Known for being both a Hollywood Showstopper and stone of eternal love, this month we'll be looking at the sparkly world of Diamonds.
Zodiacs & Planets
Aries
Bold, lively, passionate
Mars
Bravery, determination, high energy
Element
Fire
Uses Throughout History
Diamonds were first discovered in India around the 4th century BCE and were highly valued by early civilisations for their beauty and protective, healing properties. In ancient India, these stones were believed to ward off evil and were used as talismans for protection.
However in Europe, it wasn't until around 327 BCE that Diamonds were introduced. Said to have been brought over by Alexander The Great, they were prevalent in The Middle Ages as a status symbol within Royal circles, portraying power and invincibility.
Derived from the Greek word Adamas, meaning unconquerable or indestructible, the word Diamond reflects the gem's renowned hardness in both physical and spiritual properties.
Lights, Camera Action
Hollywood showstoppers & Eternal love
After Marilyn Monroe's infamous performance of Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend in the 1953 production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, the well knoknown phrase has since cemented itself within modern day language and reinforced the stone as a symbol of love, glamour and desire within popular culture.
As well as this, Monroe’s performance also significantly influenced the Diamond industry's marketing strategies, bringing the romantic commitment of the stone to the forefront of peoples' minds.
Are Diamonds Really Forever?
Diamond Alternatives
With their high price point, Diamonds are an extremely valuable addition to your jewellery.
However, due to ethical reasons and the complications of mining this gorgeous stone, a lot of companies are turning to lab-grown alternatives such as Moissanite, HPHT Diamonds (High-Pressure High-Temperature) or CVD Diamonds (Chemical Vapour Deposition).
These crystals are identical in appearance and sparkle, without the impact of mining and damage to the environment, and much more affordable than the natural stones.
Another stone you can turn to for a similar look whilst keeping a range of sparkly undertones is Zircon. This is a great, more widely available option, with similar spiritual properties and appearance.
If you're looking for a beautiful, shimmering Diamond alternative, we have a wide range of Zircon pieces for you to browse through to your heart's delight. Have a look at our Zircon collection below...
Shop Zircon
Introducing
Birthstones: A Pocket Guide
Zodiacs, birthstones and favourite colours, it can get stressful when shopping for gifts!
We've put together a short little pocket guide with everything you need to know about each stone's meanings and months to help you choose pieces that are just right.
Celestial sparkles: Inspired by the stars
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