“Eternal love and courage, symbolized by diamond,

After all this April birthstone is actually just carbon!”

BIRTHSTONE: APRIL - Diamond

Diamond, the birthstone for April, is a natural resource/form of pure carbon and known as the hardest earth
material. This rare mineral has a chemical formula of (C). Diamond came from the Greek term, adámas,
meaning “unbreakable”, “proper”, or “unalterable”. This is also one of the well-known gemstones since ancient
times with the earliest samples traced from India.

Diamond belongs to the Native Elements mineral group with an isometric crystal system. Its hardness is a
result of the covalent bonding of Carbon (C) atoms.

Physicochemical Properties:
Mineral Group: Native elements
Chemical Formula: C
Crystal System: Isometric
Mohs Hardness Scale: 10
Specific Gravity: 3.5 to 3.53
Refractive Index: 2.417 to 2.419
Diaphaneity: Transparent, Translucent, to Opaque
Luster: Adamantine to Greasy
Color: Colorless, yellowish to yellow, brown, black, blue, green or red, pink
Cleavage: Perfect
Fracture: Conchoidal, splintery

Occurrence: Diamonds are formed as a product of mantle-deep crystallization of ultrabasic igneous magmas
only brought to the surface by rocks that occur in the mantle. Such rocks are kimberlite, lamprophyres, and
eclogites. Diamond is also found in association with minerals in some meteorites; quartz, corundum, and
zircon.

Uses: A useful industrial tool; abrasive, window, speaker dome, heat sink, and water-resistant parts; and
desirable jewelry. Diamond is used commonly in engagement rings starting the 15th century; thanks to its very
bright, adamantine luster that gives its sparkly property.

Trivia: The largest diamond ever discovered was called the Cullinan diamond, and weighed in at an amazing
3106 carats, or 1.33 pounds (discovered in 1905 in South Africa).

References:
[1] Diamond. (n.d.). Retrieved January 10, 2021, from https://www.gemdat.org/gem-1282.html
[2] King, H. M. (n.d.). Diamond. Retrieved January 10, 2021, from
https://geology.com/minerals/diamond.shtml#:~:text=The%20Argyle%20Mine%20produces
%20diamonds%20in%20a%20wideand%20violet%20diamonds%20are%20also%20found%20at
%20Argyle.
 [3] Perron, C. (2020). Retrieved April 1, 2021, from https://www.brilliantearth.com/news/15-amazing-
facts-about-diamonds/

Disclaimer: This mineral only arbitrarily represents someone's birth period. It does not bring supernatural
abilities to the bearer; or influence one's destiny and actions, be warned!