April's Birthstone: Diamond — and Crystal Quartz!

April's Birthstone: Diamond — and Crystal Quartz!

Diamonds. A girl's best friend, right? Maybe. Maybe not. But arguably the most iconic and coveted gemstone ever — and April's birthstone!

Fortunately, there are great alternate birthstones for April that won't break the bank. Rock crystal quartz, also known as clear crystal quartz, is one of them — a favorite of mine to work with. But first, a bit about diamonds.

Diamonds, briefly

I'm sure we all agree that diamonds are remarkably beautiful. Why? That's easy. The way they sparkle — their extraordinary ability to seemingly capture the light and disperse it. The results? Breathtaking. 

Is it any wonder that the ancient Romans thought that diamonds were fallen stars?

The most famous diamonds? You've probably heard of them: the Hope Diamond — more than 45 carats — and the Tiffany Yellow Diamond weighing in at over 120 carats! And of course, diamonds are the hardest natural substance on Earth with a 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness.

As fabulous (and timeless) as diamonds may be, for most of us, other than an engagement ring or diamond stud earrings, we turn to alternatives for sparkle, and for clear sparkle in particular. 

April's alternate birthstone — clear crystal quartz. 

And before we "rock on," a note about the earrings you'll find here: These aren't your typical birthstone jewelry. Each pair is designed to surprise — unusual combinations, unexpected forms, and most often one of a kind.

Rock crystal quartz — April's luminous alternative

If part of diamond's appeal is its clarity, light and sparkle, then rock crystal quartz is a natural and beautiful option with a story all its own. And yes, this lovely gemstone goes by several variations on its name as already mentioned including clear quartz, crystal quartz, and clear crystal quartz.

Rock crystal quartz is a member of the quartz family — and quartz in so many forms is exceptionally abundant, and a favorite to work with for its hardness, its clarity, its versatility, and its ability to be cut and faceted in many ways.

One of the pleasures of designing with (and wearing!) clear crystal quartz is that it complements every skin tone and is at home with every hue of precious metal.

A quick mention: Tourmalinated quartz is always a treat to work with. It is clear quartz with needles of black tourmaline inclusions, sometimes fine and spidery, sometimes like brushstrokes. These stones can be pricey, but they're stunners in the right design.  

Rock crystal quartz's history

Rock crystal quartz has been used in jewelry for thousands of years and across nearly every culture on the planet! Given its coloring — clear to soft white — it may resemble frozen water or gorgeous cut glass. In fact the ancient Greeks called it krystallos meaning "ice" — and thought it was water frozen by the gods.

(Some of the stones you will see used here are so exquisitely cut that when I look at them, I'm reminded of my grandmother's most prized cut glass candy dishes, so filled with sparkle and light that they were always a source of wonder for me as a child. No photograph can quite capture the marvel of these small faceted gemstones.)

Also worth noting: Crystal quartz was worn as protective adornment long before diamonds became the preferred gemstone.

The allure of clear quartz

What draws us to rock crystal quartz is its clarity — that pure, glassy transparency that in high-quality faceted stones catches and scatters light beautifully. And rock crystal quartz can boast a remarkable family of much loved gemstones: Amethyst, citrine, and rose quartz are in fact members of the quartz family.

What makes rock crystal quartz particularly special is its versatility — in the fullest sense of that word. Chunky irregular stones bring a bold, organic presence to a design. Faceted stones sparkle and promise the elegant touch. The combination of clear quartz with pearls — refined, romantic, timeless. Pair it with virtually any gemstone, as well as with sterling silver and gold alike.

Dressed up or pared down, in designs that lean architectural or boho — rock crystal quartz finds a comfortable home. 

Symbolism? Energy?

Crystal quartz is widely considered a master healer and amplifier — believed to amplify the energy of whatever stones surround it, making it an exceptionally versatile companion in any combination. On its own, it is thought to enhance focus and clarity of thought.

For April birthdays, rock crystal quartz carries similar characteristics in terms of symbolism — clarity, truth, light — qualities that feel very much in keeping with the spirit of spring.

Fun facts about rock crystal quartz

  • Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth, found on every continent.
  • Rock crystal quartz registers 7 on the Mohs Scale — hard enough for everyday jewelry wear.
  • Clear quartz has been used in jewelry and adornment since at least 7000 BC.
  • Many beloved gemstones are members of the quartz family, including amethyst, citrine, and rose quartz.
  • Tourmalinated quartz — clear quartz with natural black tourmaline needles captured within — is completely unique: No two pieces are ever alike, as if tiny modern art abstractions are painted within the stone itself.

By the way...

And by the way… two remarkable visual artists were born in April. Abstract expressionist painter Willem de Kooning, born April 24, 1904, is known for his bold, gestural brushwork and his fearless use of color. De Kooning's paintings can be seen in major museums; if you've never seen (and experienced) them, do. Astonishing work.

Cy Twombly, born April 25, 1928, also created stunning abstractions with notable use of color and mark-making. Whereas de Kooning's paintings seem forceful and even confrontational — you can feel their physicality — Twombly's  canvases are quite different. They're generally quieter, lyrical, yet still very alive with color shot through them — scratched, scribbled and layered. Gorgeous — just like the interiors of some of my favorite natural, untreated gemstones.     

Both of these artists' works deserve discovery and exploration. 

 

Jewelry shown above:

 

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