When the first blossoms unfurl and spring’s renewal is in full swing, those born in April have one traditional birthstone option, as well as an alternative gem option to mark the occasion—the ever-dazzling diamond and the deeply rich sapphire. Though distinctly different in hue, these regal gemstones share a rarity and magnificence befitting the month’s spirit of rejuvenation.
Will you choose the eternal sparkle of a diamond to represent your birthday month? Or will the mystical allure of a sapphire speak to your soul? These questions have no wrong answer, as both April birthstones have an undeniable appeal.
Read on to discover what makes each of these birthstones for April extraordinary—ranging from their color to their meaning and history, according to experts.
Related: Here’s Exactly What Your Month’s Birthstone Says About Your Personality
What Is the Birthstone for April?
urzine / Getty Images
According to Matt Harris, a graduate of the Gemological Institute of America, member of the American Gem Trade Association, and owner of Matt Harris Designs, “In the realm of traditional and modern birthstones for April, the diamond reigns supreme.”
Want to know what the universe has in store for you? Sign up for Parade Astrology, our weekly newsletter with expert astrology advice, zodiac sign insights and other cosmic updates.
What Is the Alternative Birthstone for April?
While the diamond takes center stage as April’s official birthstone, some consider the sapphire an alternative option, particularly for those born under the sign of Taurus (April 21–May 21).
Related: People Born in March Actually Have 2 Birthstones—Find Out What They Are and the Meaning Behind Each Stone
April Birthstone Color
The April birthstone is actually colorless or “near colorless.” Diamonds are clear, like a droplet of water. Meanwhile, the alternative April birthstone is a sapphire, which can be described as royal or midnight blue.
Related: What Is the April Birth Flower? Celebrate April Birthdays With This Fabulous Bloom
Is the April Birthstone Rare?
While ubiquitous in jewelry stores, diamonds are still considered rare gems.
“The conditions required to form a diamond are as specific as they are extreme,” Harri explains. “They’re geological marvels formed deep within the Earth’s mantle, under intense heat and pressure. It’s nature’s way of saying, ‘Good things come to those who wait … a few million years.'”
Diamond Meaning and History
“Diamonds have come to represent everlasting love,” says Harris. “They are strong, resilient and shiny! As a matter of fact, they are one of the hardest materials on Earth.”
Brilliant marketing campaigns like “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” popularized by Marilyn Monroe, have helped keep diamonds at the top of the list of most beloved jewels.
But diamonds also carry spiritual significance across cultures. Gemologist Sacha Jarmon, and co-founder of LOVE SARO, elaborates.
“Metaphysically, diamonds are used to amplify and enhance energies of stones around them,” she says. “They are effective at cleansing both the mind and body, as well as removing negative energy and obstacles to help the wearer realize their own self-worth.”
Related: What Is Your Birth Flower? Find Out the Meaning Behind the Blooms for Each Month
Where Are Diamonds Found?
“Diamonds are found in kimberlite pipes created as a result of volcanic and tectonic activity,” shares Olivia Landau of The Clear Cut.
But as far as actual locations, Jarmon says diamonds are primarily sourced from India, as well as Russia, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Canada.
You can even try your hand at diamond mining stateside.
“Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas allows visitors to dig on their own for only $15 a day!” Harris shares.
April’s Alternative Birthstone: Sapphire’s Meaning and History
Melanie Grimes Photography / Getty Images
Jarmon explains the sapphire’s long history of mystical reverence.
“Kings and queens in ancient Greece and Rome believed the blue sapphires would protect them from harm and offer guidance when seeking answers,” she says. “Buddhists believed that it brought spiritual enlightenment, and Hindus used it in worship practices. Each color of sapphire exhibits its own unique metaphysical properties and vibrational patterns, yet all are Stones of Wisdom.”
Related: What Exactly Are ‘Chakras’? Here Are the Benefits of Balancing Your Chakras for More Inner Peace
Where Are Sapphires Found?
Sapphires derive from various locales, though some sources are particularly prized.
“Our sapphires are primarily sourced from Thailand. Most sapphires are found in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and Madagascar,” Jarmon notes.
The rarest and most coveted sapphires hail from Kashmir.
“Kashmir sapphires from the Himalaya Mountains are extremely rare and valuable, many of them being displayed in museums,” Harris adds. “Right here in the U.S., gorgeous sapphires are being mined in Montana.”
So, for those born in April, will you opt for the brilliant resilience of a diamond or the profound wisdom of a sapphire? With two such breathtaking birthstones to choose from, you can’t go wrong.
Related: The 3 Fire Signs of the Zodiac, Explained—All About the Fire Element and Its Traits
