Which gemstone is associated with your birth month? What powers does it have? How can you best harness its energy? Tatler’s experts Joyce Tsang and Jenny Lam help demystify birthstones and their properties
When Marilyn Monroe famously crooned “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend” in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), she secured the appeal of diamonds for generations to come. And, of course, thanks to pop culture and clever marketing (think De Beers’ “a diamond is forever” slogan from their 1947 campaign), this gemstone has become synonymous with love and glamour. But beyond its obvious charm lies a slew of mystical properties such as healing and cleansing. Thanks to these powers, this precious stone has held symbolic and spiritual significance across cultures in Asia and beyond for thousands of years.
In China, diamonds have been highly prized for centuries and are associated with wealth, power and success. They are used in religious ceremonies and are linked to purity, strength and enlightenment. In Malaysia, thanks to the country’s amalgamation of Chinese, Malay, Peranakan and Indian cultures, diamonds are thought to have protective qualities and are often used in spiritual and religious practices.
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, diamonds are thought to offer protection against negative energy and promote positive energy. Meanwhile, Singaporeans see diamonds as a symbol of luxury and sophistication, and believe they can bring clarity, purity and enlightenment.
To decode the hidden powers of the coveted diamond, we turn to our experts: Joyce Tsang, the founder of crystal brand Stone and Star; and Jenny Lam, a crystal and stone expert and founder of online crystal-based platform Moon Conversations.
Energy influence
Diamonds are often referred to as the “king of the crystals” due to their hardness and durability. They are associated with the central “sun of the solar system, which represents a force in a perfect state that doesn’t need additional charging or cleansing. Diamonds are known to amplify and enhance the energy of other crystals, and foster trust and bond-building not only between the giver and the receiver, but also between the earth and an individual. They are believed to strengthen love (including self-love), self-empowerment and fearlessness, while dispelling anger. Diamonds are also a symbol of purity and innocence, and can help us connect with the divine.
According to Hinduism and Buddhism, they activate the crown chakra and promote enlightenment, while also cleansing and balancing the other chakras. Pink diamonds resonate with the heart chakra, promoting self-love, self-care and connection with the divine feminine. Yellow diamonds resonate with the solar plexus chakra, activating confidence, self-worth and healing.
Blue diamonds resonate with the throat chakra, allowing one to speak clearly and communicate their truth and heart’s desires effectively.