April Birthstone: Diamond Meaning, Color & Jewelry
Diamond is the birthstone for April, the hardest natural material on earth and the classic symbol of enduring love. Most diamonds are colorless to near colorless, prized for the way a good cut throws back white light and fire. Diamond suits every kind of jewelry and stands up to a lifetime of daily wear.
On this page
What diamond means, how diamonds are judged, choosing diamond jewelry, caring for diamond, and common questions.
| Birth month | April |
| Color | Colorless to near colorless, with rare fancy colors |
| Hardness | 10 on the Mohs scale, the hardest natural material |
| Symbolism | Enduring love, strength, and clarity |
| Judged by | Cut, color, clarity, and carat |
The meaning of April's birthstone
The word diamond comes from the ancient Greek adamas, meaning unconquerable, and that idea has followed the stone through history. Its unmatched hardness made it a symbol of strength and permanence long before it became the gem of betrothal, and over time the diamond came to stand for a love meant to last. Worn as a token of commitment and resilience, it remains the most recognized of all gems. As the April birthstone it carries that sense of endurance and clarity, a fitting gift for a milestone or a bond meant to hold.
How diamonds are judged
A diamond is pure carbon, crystallized under immense heat and pressure, and it is judged on four qualities often called the four Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat. Cut matters most, because it governs how brightly a stone returns light and how much fire it shows; a well cut diamond can outshine a larger stone that was cut poorly. Color is graded from truly colorless down through faint warmth, and clarity describes how free the stone is of tiny natural inclusions. Carat is simply weight. Beyond the familiar near colorless stones, diamonds also occur in rare fancy colors such as blue, pink, and yellow. Both natural and laboratory grown diamonds are sold today, identical in chemistry and sparkle, separated only by origin and the documentation that comes with them. For a deeper look at the four Cs, the guide to evaluating diamond quality explains how they work together.
Choosing diamond jewelry
Put cut first, since it does more for sparkle than any other factor, and a precise cut will make a stone come alive. For color, choose a grade that reads white in its setting; a slightly warmer stone can look perfectly white in yellow gold, while cooler white metals ask for a higher color grade. Aim for clarity that is clean to the eye, which does not require the very top grades. Carat is a matter of taste and proportion, so pick a size that suits the wearer and the piece. The metal shapes the effect, with white gold and platinum giving an icy, modern look and yellow or rose gold lending warmth. The diamond jewelry at Oath spans pendants, studs, bracelets, and more in gold and sterling silver.
Caring for diamond jewelry
As the hardest gem at 10 on the Mohs scale, diamond is built for a lifetime of daily wear and resists the scratches that dull softer stones. It is not indestructible, though, since a sharp blow on the right angle can chip the thin edge of a stone, so a little care still pays off. Warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush bring back the sparkle that skin oils and lotion tend to film over, and ultrasonic cleaning is generally safe for untreated diamonds. Have the prongs on a ring checked from time to time so the stone stays secure. The fine jewelry care guide covers cleaning and storage for every stone and metal in more detail.
In short
- Diamond is April's birthstone, the hardest natural gem and the lasting symbol of enduring love.
- It is judged on cut, color, clarity, and carat, with cut doing the most for brightness and fire.
- At hardness 10 it is made for daily wear, asking only for gentle cleaning and an occasional setting check.
Not sure which birthstone suits the person you are shopping for?
The Oath jewelry guide walks through every birth month, metal, and stone, with practical tips for choosing a piece they will keep.
Read the jewelry guideFrequently asked questions
What is the birthstone for April?
Diamond is the birthstone for April, a place the gem has held in the modern birthstone list for well over a century.
What makes a diamond sparkle?
Diamond sparkle comes mostly from cut, since the angles and proportions of the facets decide how much light is returned to the eye as brightness and fire, more than color or size do.
Is diamond good for everyday jewelry?
Diamond rates 10 on the Mohs scale, the hardest of all gems, which makes it the most hard wearing choice for rings and other pieces worn every day.
What does a diamond symbolize?
Diamond stands for enduring love, strength, and clarity, a meaning drawn from its unmatched hardness and its long history in rings that mark a lasting commitment.
How can I tell a real diamond from a fake?
Genuine diamond has a hardness, brilliance, and heat behavior that common imitations cannot match. The guide to telling a real diamond from a fake walks through the checks that separate it from cubic zirconia, moissanite, and glass.
Keep reading
Diamond is the most hard wearing way to mark an April birthday, with a long history of love and endurance behind it. Every order ships free with a 30-day return policy.
