| If you're still young enough to remember your | | | | certain medicinal properties. During the middle |
| birthday, you probably also remember the special | | | | ages, these gemstones were thought to heal |
| birthstone assigned to it. But at your age, we bet | | | | illness, but only if the ailing person took the |
| you don't really know the SIGNIFICANCE of your | | | | diamond into bed to warm it up first! |
| birthstone and what power the ancients felt would | | | | Of Kings and Queens, Archdukes and Duchesses |
| be bestowed about you by wearing it. | | | | Legend has it that Cupid's arrows were tipped in |
| April Birthstone: Diamond | | | | diamonds and over the centuries, this magnificent |
| Birthstone Properties: Enhances competence, trust | | | | gemstone has acquired a well-deserved reputation |
| and love | | | | as the ultimate gift of love. |
| Alternative Birthstone: Opal | | | | In less democratic times, diamonds were |
| Formed deep within the earth where there is | | | | reserved for royalty...the only people "entitled" to |
| intense heat and pressure, diamonds are simply | | | | their symbolism of strength, courage and |
| crystallized carbon. April's birthstone is the | | | | invincibility. But in 1477, Archduke Maximillian of |
| perennial first choice for engagement rings, but is | | | | Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy |
| it also the anniversary gem for the 10th and 60th | | | | and before long the tradition of diamond |
| years of marriage when eternity bands and other | | | | engagement rings was one embraced by even |
| diamond-detailed rings replace original wedding | | | | the most humble brides-to-be and their suitors. |
| bands. | | | | The diamond's white hue signifies life, joy and |
| The ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were | | | | innocence. But diamonds may be nearly any color |
| splinters of stars fallen to earth. It was even said | | | | in the rainbow plus a wide range of browns, |
| by some that they were the tears of the Gods | | | | grays, and white. Shades of yellow are most |
| or perhaps crystallized lightning or hardened dew | | | | common, followed by colorless. Blue, black, |
| drops. In fact, the exact origin of diamonds is still | | | | reddish, and greenish are more valuable (some |
| something of a mystery, even to scientists and | | | | extremely so). |
| geologists. | | | | P.S. I Love You |
| India is thought to be the first river-bed source of | | | | It's interesting to note that a woman wears her |
| diamond mining. The ancient Hindus called the | | | | diamond on the third finger of her left hand |
| diamond "Vajra," (lightening) because of the | | | | because early Egyptians believed the vena amoris |
| sparks of light that it emits as well as its invincible | | | | (vein of love) ran directly from the heart to the |
| strength. Arguably the most beautiful gemstones | | | | top of the third finger, left hand |
| on the planet, diamonds are also harder than any | | | | A gift of a Diamond is symbolic of everlasting |
| other substance on earth and found today in | | | | love. There is no more convincing a promise of an |
| Australia, Botswana, Russia and South Africa. | | | | enduring relationship than the brilliant gemstone |
| Dr. Diamond | | | | that has endured in people's hearts throughout the |
| Diamonds have long been credited for having | | | | history. |