TL;DR
- April's birthstone on the modern list is diamond: pure carbon, 10 on the Mohs scale, named from the Greek for unbreakable.
- Many alternative lists add clear quartz as a second April stone. It's quartz, not diamond, and that's how we label it.
- We don't sell diamonds. We do carry clear quartz and double-terminated "Herkimer Diamond Like" quartz points.
The April birthstone is diamond, the hardest natural mineral on Earth. It's pure carbon, packed so tightly that almost nothing can scratch it. Its name comes from the Greek "adamas", meaning unbreakable. Fair warning up front: we don't sell diamonds at The Rock Space. But we do have some sparkly clear stones April people love, and we'll be honest about what they are.
Why diamond is the April birthstone
Birthstone lists have changed a lot over the centuries. In 1912, American jewellers agreed on a standard list so everyone sold the same stone for the same month. April got diamond, and it has kept it through every update since. Today that's usually called the modern list.
So if you're asking for April's real birthstone, it's diamond. Some months have two or three stones on the modern list. April has just one.
Older lists didn't always agree. Some older traditions gave April a different gem, and sapphire turns up in a few. Many alternative and crystal lists also name clear quartz, sometimes called rock crystal, as a second April stone. That's where the "two birthstones for April" idea comes from.
Want the whole calendar? Here's every month's birthstone in one place.
What diamond actually is
Diamond is carbon, the same element as pencil graphite. The difference is how the atoms are locked together. Diamond forms deep underground under huge heat and pressure, then rides up to the surface in volcanic rock.
It's a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, the top of the chart. But hard isn't the same as unbreakable. A sharp knock in the wrong spot can still chip one. GIA's diamond guide explains the science well.
Most diamonds are colourless to pale yellow. Traces of nitrogen add the yellow, and boron can turn one blue. Pink, green and other "fancy" colours exist too, but they're rare.
Diamond meaning: what it's traditionally linked with
Because it's so hard to scratch, diamond has long been a symbol of strength and lasting love. That's a big part of why it ended up in engagement rings.
The story goes that ancient people thought diamonds were splinters of stars, or tears of the gods. Today, people tend to link diamond with clarity, commitment and strength.
April's birthday colour follows the stone. It's usually given as clear or white, and some lists say silver.
Clear stones we do carry: quartz and Herkimer-style points
Here's the honest part. We don't stock diamonds. If you want a real diamond, a jeweller is the place to go.
What we do have are clear stones with their own sparkle. They're quartz, not diamond, and we'll always call them quartz.
Clear quartz
Clear quartz is silicon dioxide, one of the most common minerals on Earth. It sits at 7 on the Mohs scale. Its name traces back to the Greek "krystallos", meaning ice. The story goes that ancient Greeks thought it was water frozen so hard it could never melt.
People use clear quartz as an all-purpose stone and a reminder to keep things simple and clear. Many alternative lists name it as April's second stone. Our clear quartz guide has the full story.
"Herkimer Diamond Like" double-terminated quartz
Herkimer diamonds aren't diamonds at all. The name belongs to very clear, naturally double-pointed quartz crystals from Herkimer County in New York State. They grew in small pockets in rock, with room to form a point at each end.
Our bag of Herkimer Diamond Like points is double-terminated quartz with that same two-pointed shape. They're quartz, and the label says "like" for that reason. They're small, bright and fun to sort through.
April zodiac signs and their stones
April is split between two signs:
- Aries runs until about April 19. Clear quartz, carnelian and bloodstone are common Aries picks. Browse the Aries collection.
- Taurus starts around April 20. Rose quartz and emerald are classic Taurus stones.
Curious about your moon and rising signs too? Our free natal chart works them out from your birth date, time and place.
Is my diamond real? Diamonds, lab-grown and lookalikes
A lab-grown diamond is real diamond. It's the same carbon in the same structure, just grown in a machine instead of the ground. A good jeweller will tell you which one you're buying.
Simulants are different. Cubic zirconia, moissanite and glass can look like diamond, but they're other materials. A jeweller can usually test a stone quickly. Clear quartz is sometimes passed off as diamond too, which is why we're careful with our wording.
At The Rock Space, treated, dyed and man-made stones are labelled as such.
Caring for clear stones
- Rinse and wipe. Diamond and quartz are both fine with lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft cloth.
- Store them apart. Diamond scratches everything, and quartz scratches softer stones.
- Mind the points. Quartz points can chip at the tip if they're dropped.
- Clear quartz is fine in sunlight, but a clear sphere can focus sunlight like a magnifying glass. Keep spheres out of sunny windows.
April birthstone gift ideas
A few sparkly ideas from the shelf right now:
- A cluster. A small clear quartz cluster catches light on a shelf or desk.
- A pendant. The clear quartz heart pendant is set in sterling silver.
- A handful of points. The Herkimer-style quartz bag is fun to share out. More clear pieces live in the clear quartz collection.
Shopping for more birthdays? See the March birthstone right before April, and the May birthstone right after.
Know someone with a April birthday? Make them a free April birthstone card and send it by text or email.
Frequently asked questions
What are the two birthstones for April?
The modern list gives April one stone: diamond. Many alternative and crystal lists add clear quartz, also called rock crystal, as a second April stone.
What is April's real birthstone?
Diamond. It has been April's stone on the standard list since American jewellers agreed on it in 1912, and it has stayed through every update.
What is the original birthstone for April?
Older lists varied a lot, and some older traditions gave April sapphire. Diamond has been April's stone on the modern list since 1912.
What is April's birthday colour?
Clear or white, after the diamond. Some lists say silver. Clear quartz fits the same colour if you want something sparkly that isn't a diamond.
Is a Herkimer diamond a real diamond?
No. Herkimer diamonds are naturally double-pointed quartz crystals named after Herkimer County in New York State. They sparkle, but they're quartz, not diamond.
Come say hi
Clear stones look completely different when light hits them, so they're best seen in person. Visit us at 396 Victoria Street North in Kitchener and tilt a few under the lights. Or browse the clear quartz collection online.