COLLECTION
April Birthstone: Rock Crystal
The classic April birthstone is diamond. Rock crystal is considered a clear, natural alternative and traditionally stands for purity and clarity. Here you'll find rock crystal necklaces from By Carola, raw, as a teardrop or as a cylinder.
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Rock crystal, the April birthstone
Rock crystal is colorless, pure quartz. It is clear as water and often grows in long, six-sided points. The British birthstone list of the goldsmiths' association names it alongside diamond as a stone for April.
Diamond or rock crystal?
On the birthstone list of 1912, diamond stands for April. But many people want a stone that looks natural. This is where rock crystal comes in. It shares the clarity of diamond, and as a raw stone it shows the shape it grew in.
Meaning and tradition
The name comes from the Greek krystallos, ice. In antiquity, people believed rock crystal was ice that would never melt. By tradition, it stands for purity and clarity. Early on, rock crystal was made into seals, vessels and jewelry.
A genuine stone
Every rock crystal at By Carola is genuine quartz, not glass.
Raw, teardrop or cylinder
The raw rock crystal measures about 8 to 10 mm, is set by hand and comes as a necklace or as a pendant only. The teardrop measures about 13 to 14 mm, the cylinder about 10 mm. You can wear all of them in 14K gold-filled or 925 sterling silver, at 40 or 45 cm (15.7 or 17.7 in). A clear stone goes with everything. How to combine it with other necklaces is shown in the article Layering: how to combine two or three necklaces.
Care
Rock crystal has a hardness of 7 and is durable. Keep perfume and lotion away from it and store the necklace dry and on its own. Pendant and chain are water-resistant.
April birthstone for Aries and Taurus
If you were born in April, you are an Aries up to 20 April and a Taurus from 21 April. The birthstone follows the month, not the zodiac sign. So for both signs in April, diamond and rock crystal are the matching stones. An Aries born in March wears aquamarine, a Taurus born in May wears emerald. All signs are listed in the guide under Birthstones by zodiac sign.
Rock crystal at a glance
| Mineral | Quartz |
|---|---|
| Color | colorless, clear |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 7 |
| Main sources | Brazil, the Alps |
| Birth month | April, alongside diamond |
| Zodiac signs | Aries, Taurus |
Continue to May: Emerald or back to March: Aquamarine. You'll find every piece under Birthstone Jewelry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the April birthstone?
The classic April birthstone is diamond. Rock crystal is considered a clear, natural alternative.
What does rock crystal mean?
By tradition, rock crystal stands for purity and clarity. In antiquity, people thought it was ice that never melts. This meaning is based on tradition.
Is the rock crystal at By Carola genuine?
Yes, every stone is genuine quartz, not glass.
Which birthstone suits Aries and Taurus?
If you were born in April, your birthstone is diamond or rock crystal, whether you are an Aries or a Taurus. The stone follows the month.
How can I tell rock crystal from glass?
Rock crystal feels cooler than glass and often shows fine inclusions or veils. Glass is usually completely even and sometimes has small round bubbles. Glass never has natural crystal faces like the raw stone.
