Image of a brilliant-cut diamond and a raw diamond gemstone on a beige background

ALL ABOUT THE DIAMOND

faceted diamond

Strength & invincibility

Diamond takes its name from the Greek word “adamas”, meaning the invincible. No material created by nature is as hard as diamond, which means it has an amazing ability to reflect light. The most important thing you need to know about the diamond is the 4 Cs that determine the quality of a diamond - Colour, Carat, Cut and Clarity. Read on if you want to know more!

woman with three 10-karat rings from Carré, two diamond rings, and a Stella ring with the gemstone champagne quartz.

BIRTHSTONE

Diamond is April's birthstone, and is also the birthstone for the zodiacs Aries & Taurus. Each month has its own unique gemstone to represent it. Carrying your birthstone is said to bring good luck.

You can carry your birthstone as a good luck amulet, or your loved ones’ birthstone as a symbol of love.

Find your birthstone here

a 10-karat necklace from Carré with a diamond pendant for necklaces with April's birthstone diamond

SYMBOLISM

The diamond symbolises strength, invincibility and wealth. The diamond is also a classic symbol of love. The combination of strength and love makes it the obvious choice of gemstone for relationships.

woman with heart pendant for necklaces in genuine 10 karat gold with real diamonds from Carré Jewellery

SPIRITUALITY

Diamonds are said to cleanse and balance the mind, body, and soul. Due to its exceptional shine, the Diamond is associated with the power to enlighten the mind and give its wearer mental clarity as well as strengthen emotions and energies. The Diamond absorbs thoughts and emotions and projects them outwards – wear the diamond when you want to spread positivity and joy around you.

10-carat jewellery from Carré. Two rings with diamonds and a long earring post with a chain with a diamond and a small earring post with a diamond.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR DIAMOND JEWELLERY

The diamond is the hardest gemstone in the world, and is therefore also easy to care for and clean. Clean your diamond with lukewarm water with a mild soap and brush gently with a soft brush. Even though the Diamond in itself isn’t easy to break, be careful with the prongs that are used to set the Diamond securely in your jewellery.

woman with 10-karat rings from Carré - diamond engagement ring from Carré and vintage gold ring

THE HISTORY OF DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RINGS

The diamond is the traditional gemstone for engagement rings. The tradition reportedly began in the year 1477, when Duke Maximillian of Austria gifted his lover, Marie of Bourgogne, a diamond ring. However, it wasn’t until after the 2nd World War that the tradition truly became widespread by the British diamond company, De Beers with their slogan “A Diamond is Forever”.

Find your wedding anniversary here

10-karat gold jewelry from Carré with diamonds. A letter pendant with a diamond featuring the letter K, a pendant for necklaces with a diamond, and an engagement ring with a diamond

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

In ancient Greece, it was believed that diamonds were the tears of the gods or splinters from fallen stars. It was said that the tips of Cupid’s arrows were set with diamonds and had magical powers. The Greek philosopher, Plato, described diamonds as living beings, containing heavenly spirits. In other cultures, the diamond was used as a stone of truth. By placing the diamond in front of a person, it would sparkle when the truth was told, and cloud up when faced with lies.

DIAMOND'S GEMMOLOGY

Diamonds consist of carbon and are formed more than 150 kilometres underneath the Earth’s surface as a result of extremely high temperatures and pressure. Hereafter, the diamonds are brought closer to the Earth’s crust through crater tubes. Today, diamonds are mainly extracted and mined in South Africa, Botswana, Angola, Russia, and Canada. When you measure a gemstone’s hardness, Moh’s Hardness Scale is used. The scale goes from 1-10, where 10 is the hardest – here, you will also find the diamond. The hardest gemstone.

Image of a faceted Green Agate and a raw green agate gemstone on an invisible background

GREEN AGATE

Harmony, health & protection

image of a round freshwater pearl and an oyster shell on an invisible background

PEARL

Honesty, integrity & truth

Image of a faceted Peridot and a raw peridot gemstone on an invisible background

PERIDOT

New beginnings & intuition

Image of a faceted Tourmaline and a raw tourmaline gemstone on an invisible background

TOURMALINE

Tolerance & compassion