April 3, 2026
While each gemstone brings something unique, there’s nothing quite like a diamond.
But diamonds aren’t a monolith, and there are a number of factors to consider when looking to buy one for yourself or a loved one. Given that diamonds are the official gemstone for April birthdays, what better time to take a closer look?
If you’re after diamonds in St. Thomas or St. Maarten, or simply want to get more familiar with the types of diamonds out there, you’re in the right spot!
As early as the first century, we have records of humans associating gems with specific months of the year. Over time, wearing your birthstone as a good luck charm has become a popular trend that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.
The standardized list of birthstones dates back to 1912, giving April its current association with diamonds. Still today, people believe that wearing their birthstone may offer protections and benefits.
Humans throughout history have considered diamonds as highly admirable and valuable. Ancient theories touted the magical powers of diamonds. When worn as jewelry, diamonds represent strength and eternal love. They’re often considered a symbol of an unbreakable bond. And their hardness and durability could nod to the bold characteristics of the person wearing it.
Most diamonds have the highest hardness of any natural material, constructed entirely of carbon and formed under intense heat. Diamonds rank a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, making them a great option for daily wear. Only a diamond has the ability to scratch another, so anyone wearing these gems knows they’re bound to last.
One of the best ways to understand how diamond quality is evaluated is through “the 4Cs.”
Not all diamonds are created equal. Notably, these four measures help determine the quality and price point of a diamond: carat, clarity, color, and cut.
Diamonds and other gems are weighed by carats, with one carat equal to 0.2 grams. Carats are divided into 100 parts or points, commonly written as a fraction (1/100 carat) or decimal (.01 carat) with carat equal to 100 points. The fraction is more general, referring to a decimal range (like a 9/10 carat diamond weighing between 0.9 and 0.95 carats).
As you might expect, diamond clarity looks at the prominence of any imperfections within a diamond. Small imperfections, also called inclusions, are fairly typical and often can only be seen with a magnifier, not the human eye alone. Regardless, the fewer inclusions a diamond has, the more rare and expensive they are.
Diamonds have 11 grades used to classify their clarity, with several overarching categories:
There’s also a distinction between inclusions, occurring on the diamond’s interior, and blemishes, on the diamond’s exterior.
The common assessment of diamond color within the 4Cs actually references their lack of color and the whiteness within a diamond. Diamonds can take on different tints during their formation due to pressures and other elements as they form.
The scale goes from D, denoting a completely colorless diamond, to Z, for diamonds that have a plainly visible and distinct tint. Setting also comes into play with diamond color. A standard gold setting can show tint even within a colorless diamond, while a slightly tinted diamond might look more colorless in that same yellow-gold setting.
Finally, the cut of a diamond looks at the quality of every edge and shape, namely the symmetry of all sides and the proportions of each angle. The cut is what creates a diamond’s signature sparkle, playing with the gem’s ability to capture and reflect light.
Diamond cut ratings will fall within one of five categories depending on quality and shape: poor, fair, good, very good, or excellent. Angle proportions, the symmetry and accuracy of cuts, and the smoothness of a diamond’s polish are all considerations when rating cut quality.
Beyond the quality considerations of the 4Cs, there are a number of variations to choose from when shopping for diamonds. In a Caribbean jewelry store like Grand Jewelers, expect any number of these options when shopping for diamonds:
Diamonds are most widely known for their transparent, white quality, but this standout gem is also available in a wide range of colors. Color variation occurs when foreign particles are introduced while the diamond forms, chemically altering the crystallization process. Different colors can also occur along with changes in pressure and/or radiation.
Intense pressure and heat altering a diamond’s green light results in variants of pink, red, and brown diamonds. When boron is mixed in, blue and gray diamonds occur. Green colors emerge when extra radiation hits a diamond closer to the Earth’s surface, while introducing nitrogen will turn a diamond more yellow or orange in hue.
On top of considerations like size and color, a diamond wearer can further personalize their jewels with a specific shape.
Each shape comes with its own features and may feel more suitable than others as you soak them all in. Going further, the size and color of a diamond may further compliment a specific shape over others.
Some diamonds have a larger table (the flat surface in the center), like the emerald cut, asscher cut, princess cut, and radiant cut. These may feel like peering into a hall of mirrors and emphasize the transparency of diamonds, with varying amounts of shine.
Others, like a round, oval, marquise, and heart-shaped diamonds, are considered brilliant cuts. These cuts maximize the gem’s more sparkly, shimmering elements over the more transparent qualities. While all cuts fall somewhere on the spectrum, cushion and pear are great examples of shapes that incorporate both characteristics together.
A closer look at the measurements and proportions of a diamond cut is useful when examining the shapes a diamond may take.
Given some of the traditions around diamonds and romance, they are a highly popular option to include on rings. There’s a good reason that diamonds are used as engagement rings, as they do tend to get attention! Diamonds are also a staple across all other types of jewelry, including bangles and bracelets, earrings, pendants and necklaces, and watches.
Pairing diamonds with another unique gemstone can further make a piece of jewelry stand out and appeal to the wearer’s tastes.
If you have an April birthday, or know someone who does, perhaps it’s time to embrace this brilliant accompanying gemstone! If not, we hope you still feel inspired to embrace the strength and opulence diamonds offer.
If you’re after diamonds in the Caribbean, Grand Jewelers carries some of the most gorgeous pieces you’ll find on the market.
No matter who is ultimately donning this iconic gemstone, rest assured that we have you covered!
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