The traditional birthstone for April is Diamond. The word diamond is taken from the Greek word “adamas” meaning hardest metal. The diamond is a member of the carbon family and is a precious stone remarkable for its extreme hardness. Diamonds are primarily mined for in USA, Brazil, Russia, Australia and Ghana and are usually colourless or tinted yellow.
The properties of the April birthstone are clarity, balance and abundance. It has long been thought that the diamond has healing properties particularly in relation to brain diseases, drawing out toxins and as a remedy to poison. The diamond is also associated with increasing inner strength and enhancing relationships.
The diamond has a long folklore history, in India the gem enjoyed fame as a talisman and the Romans believed the stone would protect against poison and plague. It is also said that the love darts of the Roman God Cupid were made of diamond.
Today though the diamond is seen more as a symbol of everlasting love, and is often given for an engagement, birth or anniversary.
April Birth Flower
April’s birth flower is the sweet pea a climbing plant with pastel coloured flowers. Sweet pea means Good Bye or Blissful Pleasure and it also has a Victorian hidden message – Thank you for a lovely time. It is thought Victorians started attributing special meanings to things like flowers in order to convey a message to a loved one that their normal etiquette would have prevented.
Traditionally sweet pea’s are given to celebrate the birth of a new baby, can be included in wedding flowers or bouquet as well as having special significance during Easter being used to celebrate Good Friday, Palm Sunday and Passover.
The sweet pea can be dated back as far as Roman times when it is thought they offered flowers such as sweet peas and gem stones such as diamonds to celebrate birthdays and offer congratulations to family and friends.
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