Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Diamonds (Aries)


Diamonds

The Aries Birthstone and for 60th Wedding Anniversary jewelry

She who from April dates her years,
Diamonds shall wear, lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow.

What are Diamonds?
What exactly are Diamonds? The definition of a Diamond is as follows:

  • The word Diamond is derived from the Greek word "adamas" which means "hardest metal" reflecting the property of the stone. The diamond is a precious stone excelling in brilliancy and beautiful play of prismatic colors, and is remarkable for its extreme hardness. This gem is a member of the Diamond (Carbon) family
  • It is the hardest substance known
  • The 4 C 's - The Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat Weight all have a highly significant impact on the cost of diamonds because these factors are all used to value the price of a diamond. The Cut, Color, and Clarity are all used to measure the quality of the diamond and the Carat is used to measure the weight of a diamond.
  • The diamond as found in nature (called a rough diamond) is cut, for ultra use in jewelry, into various forms with many reflecting facets, by which its brilliancy is much increased. The crystal structure of the Diamond is Isometric

For comprehensive facts and information click the following links before buying diamonds:

The 4 C's
Diamond Cuts


The Colors of Diamonds
Diamonds come in a wide range of natural colors and shades. The colorless or white diamond colors are the most common, whilst some tinted stones, colored diamonds, are extremely rare and valuable. The shades of Diamond Color include yellow, blue, black, pink, red, orange, green and brown. Diamond Color is determined by the impurities or structural defects. Pure or nearly pure diamonds are transparent and colorless which are referred to as a white diamond color. Color is mainly caused by the gemstones's selective absorption of certain wavelengths of light called the body color. In gemstones, the ultra colors consists of three components:

  • Hue - the first impression of the color
  • Tone - the lightness or darkness of color ranging from light to medium to dark
  • Saturation - the intensity of a gemstone's color which is measured from dull to strong to vivid
  • Pink Diamonds - Crystal lattice defects during the formation of diamond cause the pink color.
  • Blue Diamonds - Contain the element boron (B) which changes the conductivity of the diamond
  • White Diamonds - A colored diamond contains impurities or structural defects that cause the coloration, whilst a pure or nearly pure white diamond is transparent and colorless
  • Yellow Diamonds - The most common impurity, nitrogen, causes varying yellow coloration depending upon the type and concentration of nitrogen present
  • Black Diamonds - A "Black" diamond is not truly black, but rather contains numerous dark inclusions that give the gem its dark appearance

Birthstone Facts and Information about Diamonds
The following list provides Birthstone facts and information about the Diamond:

  • The Diamond is the birthstone of the month of April
  • Diamonds are also the Wedding anniversary gemstone for the 60th year of marriage
  • Zodiac Sign: Aries
  • Aries dates: March 21 - April 19
  • Aries - The first Sign of the Zodiac: The sign of the Ram
  • Ruling Planet of Aries: Mars
  • Alternate Birthstones of Aries: Bloodstones, Topaz, Sapphires, Jasper, and Aquamarine

Symbolism, Significance and Properties of Diamonds
The properties with which the Diamond is associated are as follows:

  • Enhancing relationships and increasing inner strength
  • Balance, clarity and abundance

Healing Properties of the Diamond
The healing properties of the Aries birthstone are reputed to be effective for health problems relating to:

  • Brain diseases, pituitary glands
  • Used to draw out toxins and therefore was used as a remedy for poison.

Diamonds Jewelry
Diamonds jewelry is extremely popular especially for those nearest and dearest. The tradition of giving gifts of jewelry containing these stones dates back thousands of years. The gemstone, or birthstone Diamond is believed to conduct the energies of the planet Mars with which it is sympathetic and that wearing jewelry containing the gemstone will focus the energies of the planet and sign through the gem. All different types of jewelry containing Diamonds are available including:

  • Diamond rings
  • Diamond bracelets
  • Diamond pendants
  • Diamond earrings
  • Diamond necklaces