It’s not an exaggeration to say that the diamond is the most powerful gemstone on the planet. Fortunes rest on them. People will do anything to own them. Some even die because of them. You cannot underestimate the demand for diamonds.

A diamond sparkles like no other, and has been a alluring gemstone that the most powerful people on Earth have coveted. What is it about diamonds that makes them so loved, and how have they become almost legendary in our lives? The answer lies in their properties, which have led to an attraction rivalled by few other commodities.

The origin of diamonds

Diamonds are made from carbon, and formed under incredible pressures and superheated temperatures. The result is a rough stone, which is then cut and polished, shaping it into the incredible stone that we know and love. Once set into a piece of jewellery, it will shimmer and beguile like no other gem. The most popular use of diamonds is for setting in engagement rings, a practice that has been commonplace for more than 50 years.

Diamonds are also known for their hardness. In fact, only other diamonds can scratch their surface. It is this hardness that gives the diamond its name, derived from the Greek meaning ‘unalterable’ or ‘unbreakable’. Because of this hardness, diamonds are also used for industrial applications, such as grinding and drilling. Due to the expense of diamonds, however, industrial diamonds tend to be manufactured instead of mined.

Diamonds: the April birthstone

Such a precious stone will have something of a mythology behind them, as you would expect. Diamonds are the birthstone for April, representing the qualities of those born in that month. As a birthstone, these personal qualities reflect those of the stone itself; toughness and strength, purity of spirit and clarity of vision. Diamond also represents an everlasting love, as enduring as the stone’s own invincibility.

Diamonds were also believed to possess magical properties. Their sheer brightness and lustre made them the most magical of stones. In India, they were used as talismans to ward off evil, or provide protection against physical harm. During the medieval era, they were even believed to cure illness by ingestion, with little success one would imagine.

While we’re not as superstitious or as ready to accept the ingestion of diamonds as palliative treatment, our love affair with these dazzling gems are far from over. The represent love and glamour, offering just a little extra sparkle into our lives.

Citations:

• The Hope Diamond, on display at the Smithsonian Institute

Parriss Jewellers has a superb collection of beautiful necklaces, rings, earrings and more, including diamond April birthstone jewellery

Mother’s Day is just around the corner  and is always a special time for the family. But this year why not try to make it even more memorable and go that one step further to make sure it’s the best one yet? Mother’s Day falls on March 18 in the UK this year so you’d better get moving…

Instead of just sticking to the tried and tested favourites such as a usual bottle of wine, chocolates and a card – not that there’s anything wrong with those of course – you can try personalising your gift to give it that extra special touch. Adding an engraving, personal message or other flourish to let your mother know it could only come from you is a great way to make a gift last a lifetime and show her how much she is appreciated.

Whether it be little presents like an engraved trinket box, a personalised key ring or something a lot bigger and extravagant – let’s face it, she deserves – like a personalised number plate or an bottle of champagne with her own special label, there are plenty of ideas out there that will make Mothers Day 2012 the best one yet if you just add a little bit of imagination.

If you think about some of her favourite things as well, that always shows an extra bit of thought and shows you pay attention for more than just one day a year. If she’s a music lover try getting a special edition album of one of her favourite artists or maybe a record that was number one when she was born. Prints by her favourite artist or a photo album of some of her favourite family photographs will also make winning additions to the home.

For many families the mother is the heart and soul of the household and even if you’re all grown up and moved out she has no doubt cooked thousands of meals for you, ironed countless items of clothing and done more than her fair share of chores for you.
So this year, turn the tables and do some of the work for her as a great way to say thank you which is bound to be appreciated. Simple gestures like letting her put her feet up and watch some telly while you give the house a spring clean will always be well received, or try digging out some of her favourite recipes to cook her a slap-up meal to savour. Or if you don’t fancy your chances in the kitchen you could even take her out for a slap-up meal and treat yourself at the same time too – just be sure to book in advance as it’s a busy day for pubs and restaurants.

If you want to take the pampering one step further then you could always leave it to the professionals. Instead of just letting her put her feet up, let her put her feet up somewhere luxurious and treat her to a massage, facial or some general pampering at a spa. That way Mothering Sunday will leave her feeling refreshed and reinvigorated, rather than exhausted and dreading the Monday blues like many Sundays do.

People always say that ‘mum knows best,’ but when it comes to treating your own mum then you will know better than anyone. Think about what she likes, add a sprinkling of imagination and some personal flourishes and you are bound to make sure that Mother’s Day 2012 is one to remember – as long as it makes your mother smile and feel appreciated then it will all be worth it.

This article has been produced by Mothers Day 2012 UK, a great website dedicated to Mothers Day.

Just wrote a blog for my publisher’s site. Click here to view it.

UVU (Utah Valley University) did an interview with me regarding my writers group and my writing experience. Check it out:

My weekends are usually pretty normal: Get up late while my husband takes care of the kids, eat a nice relaxed breakfast, take a shower, run errands. This week I had the opportunity to visit a clothing shop the likes of which I had never before tried. Bohme Boutique, at the Layton Hills mall. I was blown away at the excellent styles, even for my curves. The owner wasn’t there that day, Fernanda. She is like a walking fashion designer, from what I heard.

Anyway, I had only a short time to spend there that day, and so I got a really nice top; we’re planning on going out this next weekend, and I’m soooo looking forward to wearing it! Plus, being on the HCG diet at the moment, I’m hoping to shed just a few extra pounds so I’ll look even hotter for hubby.

Being a Saturday still, I was really looking forward to reading my newest find: Way of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson. My husband finished it last week (1200 pages in a week isn’t too shabby), and he loved it, so I’m pretty sure I will too. Well, I’m off to read, and then bed.