Diamond

Diamond is the birthstone for the month of April. Besides being the most popular gemstone for engagement rings, diamond is the accepted anniversary gem for the 10th and 60th years of marriage.
The name "diamond" comes from the Greek word "adamas" meaning unconquerable-suggesting the eternity of love. In fact, diamonds have been the traditional symbol of love since ancient Greece.
Discovered about 2,500 years ago in India, the ancients believed they were splinters from the stars, perhaps crystallized lightening or hardened dewdrops.
Although diamonds are associated with being a colorless stone, they are occasionally found with a strong, bright color-green, red, pink, blue, canary yellow and amber. These "fancy" colored diamonds are highly prized.
Occasionally, to improve appearance, diamonds are laser-drilled and, sometimes infilled, where in a foreign substance is used to fill surface cavities or fractures rendering them less visible. Diamonds may also be irradiated and/or heated to induce "fancy" colors. This is usually detectable as a surface only enhancement and reads differently under a spectroscope than the much more rare natural counterpart. Recent highly technical processes incorporate high temperature and high pressure (HTHP) to remove some of the yellow tint that many diamonds possess. Only a small percentage of diamonds are of the necessary chemical type to respond to this treatment. Respectable laboratories, which use this technique, are using lasers to engrave their trademark on the girdles of these stones in a size so small it is only visible under magnification. They are appropriately disclosing this process to informed buyers. Unfortunately, stones are being discovered to have had the engraved trademark removed through recutting / repolishing in an attempt to deceptively remove the proof of enhancement and avoid disclosure.
Even though it is the most durable of gemstones, care should be taken to protect a diamond from sharp blows. Household chemicals may discolor or damage the mounting. To clean, you may use a jewelry cleaner, lukewarm soapy water and a small bristle brush, soak in a half-and-half solution of cold water and ammonia for 1/2 hour, or use a home ultrasonic machine with its recommended cleaner.