Beyond the Sparkle: What You Never Knew About April’s Diamond

April babies, consider yourselves lucky—you’ve scored the ultimate birthstone flex. While other months flaunt pretty gems like garnet or peridot, April gets the icon: the diamond. Timeless, radiant, and wrapped in centuries of romance and royalty.

But let’s cut through the dazzle—because there’s more to diamonds than just sparkle. Beneath the brilliance lies a world of wild facts, ancient myths, and truths that might just surprise you. Whether you’re an April-born bling lover, a gem nerd, or just here for the sparkle tea, these diamond secrets will have you looking at this stone in a whole new light.

Diamonds Break the Myth: Sparkly Truths That’ll Blow Your Mind

MYTH: Diamonds are the rarest gemstones on Earth.
TRUTH: Diamonds might be famous, but they’re not the rarest. Stones like alexandrite, red beryl, and certain sapphires are much harder to find. Diamonds are just everywhere in media, movies, and magazines—so we assume they’re ultra-rare. Spoiler: They’re not.

MYTH: Diamonds have always symbolized love and engagement.
TRUTH: The whole “diamond engagement ring” tradition? A marketing masterstroke. In the 1940s, De Beers launched an iconic campaign with the slogan “A Diamond is Forever.” Before that, diamonds weren’t the go-to for proposals. So if you’ve ever felt pressure to buy a diamond ring—now you know why.

MYTH: Diamonds only come in clear or white.
TRUTH: Diamonds actually come in a spectrum of stunning colors—pink, blue, green, yellow, black, and even red (which is incredibly rare and crazy expensive). These are known as fancy color diamonds, and they’re proof that diamonds are way more than just sparkle.

MYTH: Diamonds are made of something special.
TRUTH: Believe it or not, diamonds are made of the same stuff as pencil lead—carbon! The only difference is how the atoms are arranged. In graphite (your pencil), they’re loosely bonded; in diamonds, they’re tightly packed, making them super strong and shiny.

MYTH: Diamonds are indestructible.
TRUTH: They’re definitely hard, but not invincible. If exposed to extreme heat (like 1,562°F or 850°C), diamonds can actually catch fire. So while they may last forever emotionally, physically? Handle with care.

MYTH: Flaws make a diamond less beautiful.
TRUTH: Enter salt and pepper diamonds—these stones flaunt their visible inclusions (natural internal markings) and wear them like a badge of honor. They’ve got a smoky, speckled vibe and are perfect for those who love something raw, real, and rebellious.

MYTH: All diamonds are Earth-born.
TRUTH: Some diamonds are literally out of this world. Microscopic diamonds have been found inside meteorites, and scientists believe that there are full-on diamond-covered planets floating somewhere in space. Cosmic glam, anyone?

MYTH: Diamonds don’t glow.
TRUTH: Around one-third of diamonds fluoresce under UV light—usually glowing in a cool blue hue. It’s like your diamond has a secret nightlife you didn’t know about.

MYTH: Diamonds are old, but not that old.
TRUTH: Most natural diamonds are between 1 to 3 billion years old. Yes, billion. They’re older than dinosaurs, trees, and probably every ancestor you’ve ever studied.

MYTH: Diamonds just sit underground until we dig them up.
TRUTH: They’re actually formed deep inside the Earth under intense pressure and heat. The only reason we ever find them is because ancient volcanic eruptions brought them to the surface through channels called kimberlite pipes. So every diamond is a tiny piece of volcanic history.

MYTH: Diamonds are only for jewelry.
TRUTH: Science has found all sorts of uses for diamonds—especially the tiny ones called nanodiamonds. They’re being used in cancer treatments, drug delivery systems, high-tech equipment, and even fancy skincare products. Yep, diamonds can do a lot more than just sit pretty.

MYTH: The biggest diamond ever found is just a legend.
TRUTH: Nope—it’s very real. The Cullinan Diamond weighed over 3,000 carats in its rough form. It was so big, it had to be cut into more than 100 smaller stones, some of which are now part of the British Crown Jewels. Royalty level sparkle.

MYTH: Diamonds are the hardest substance on Earth.
TRUTH: While they’re still the hardest naturally occurring material, synthetic materials like wurtzite boron nitride and diamond nanorods have been created in labs that are even tougher under specific conditions. Science is always leveling up.

MYTH: Diamonds are always the same.
TRUTH: Chameleon diamonds exist—and they’re exactly what they sound like. These rare gems can temporarily change color when exposed to heat or UV light. It’s like your jewelry has moods, too.

MYTH: Lab-grown diamonds are fake.
TRUTH: Not at all. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. They’re made of carbon, just like natural ones, and are chemically, physically, and optically identical. The only difference is their origin—one comes from the Earth, the other from a lab. They sparkle just as hard, cost less, and are often more ethical. So no, they’re not “fakes”—they’re the future.

Final Sparkle

At the International Institute of Gemology, we believe true brilliance goes beyond the surface. Understanding the difference between myth and fact isn’t just enlightening—it’s empowering.

Whether you’re a gem enthusiast, a curious learner, or an industry professional, every truth you uncover takes you a step closer to appreciating the real magic behind each stone.

Because at IIG, we don’t just teach gemology—we decode it, demystify it, and make it accessible to all.

Ready to discover more truths about diamonds and colored gemstones?
✨ Take the next step into the real world of diamonds and colored stones. Explore our expert-led programs and workshops:
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