April's birthstone

For all you lucky people born in April, your birthstone is the Diamond.

Famously said to be a girl's best friend, it is believed to purify the body and spirit, reflecting the desires of the highest consciousness.

It is the hardest mineral on earth measuring 10 on the Mohs' scale and whilst South Africa was a major source of fine quality diamonds, Australia is the main producer today.

Diamonds are graded by colour, cut, clarity and carat - known as the four c's.

Prized for the amazing refraction of light from a faceted stone, they range in colour from almost colourless through pink, yellow, green and blue to brown, red and black.

In 1905 the 3601 carat Cullinan diamond was discovered in South Africa. The largest gem diamond ever discovered was presented to King Edward VII as a birthday present and subsequently cut into 9 large gems and a number of smaller stones. The largest at 530 carats, The Great Star of Africa or Cullinan I adorns the Royal Sceptre of the British Crown Jewels whilst the second largest (317 carats) was incorporated into the front of the headband of the Imperial State Crown.

If you were born under the Zodiac sign of Aries (21 March - 20 April), the stone historically associated with your sign is the Bloodstone.

If you were born under the Zodiac sign of Taurus (21 April - 21 May), the stone historically associated with your sign is the Sapphire.

The custom of wearing birthstone jewellery gained momentum in 18th Century Poland and is thought to stem from an interest in the significance of the original twelve stones in the breastplate of the Jewish high priest, as highlighted by St Jerome in the 5th Century.

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