Our gemstone guide has been designed to give you useful information about the gemstones we use in our jewellery.
All naturally formed gemstones will vary in shade and colour intensity. As no gemstone is the same, they will all have varying natural inclusions or fingerprints, making each piece of your jewellery unique.
AMETHYST
A soul stone, Amethyst is said to strengthen relationships and give its wearer courage. Prized and held in royal collections, it’s the birthstone for February and the gemstone for the 6th anniversary of marriage. Powerful and protective, this semi-precious stone brings serenity, stability and peace – having a significance in healing and meditation. Seen as mystical and divine in ancient history, Amethyst captures the imagination today with its blissful hue and loving energy.
Amethyst is a 7 on the Mohs scale, they have fair to good toughness, making them durable enough for all jewellery styles if they are treated with the proper care.
Click here to find out how to care for your Amethyst.
AQUAMARINE
Calming, soothing and cleansing, Aquamarine inspires truth, trust and letting go. Connected to the sea, the stone was revered for its powers of fearlessness and protection in ancient lore. Closer to home, this gemstone is felt to inspire open communication and clarity. The birthstone for March and the 19th wedding anniversary gemstone, this cool blue semi-precious stone has a heavenly, reflective aspect. Worn for inner wisdom, Aquamarine has a calming influence.
Aquamarine is a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, so it is a durable gemstone for jewellery if it is treated with care to protect it against scratching and hard knocks.
Click here to find out how to care for your Aquamarine.
BLUE TOPAZ
The gemstone given on the 4th anniversary of marriage, Blue Topaz brings clarity and the creative energy to inspire excellence. An eloquent natural stone seen as an aid to expression, Blue Topaz has been connected to the realms of the mind, self-confidence and knowledge. Used to attune and heal, this gemstone has been carried by travellers in history to protect the wearer from all manner of danger. Its crystal-clear radiance reflects a state of peace and inner guidance.
Blue Topaz is associated with peacefulness, calming to the emotions. Topaz is an 8 on the Mohs scale. It has fair to good toughness.
Click here to find out how to care for your Topaz.
DIAMOND
A crystal of light, Diamond has been coveted since antiquity as a stone of invincibility – bringing illumination, victory and courage. Coveted for both its rarity and beauty, Diamond has a sparkling significance in all its spectacular forms. Signifying an eternity to many, it is the 10th, 60th and 75th anniversary gemstone and birthstone for the month of April. Structurally perfect, this empowering stone has is revered for its legendary appeal. Expanding opportunity, Diamond marks abundance.
Diamond is a 10 on the Mohs scale, making it the hardest naturally occurring stone, making it very durable to everyday wear.
Click here to find out how to care for your Diamond.
EMERALD
Appealing to growth and visually intriguing, Emerald has fascinated for centuries. This lush, verdant crystal stirs the soul with its hopeful, renewing energy and nurturing spirit. Marking the 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries and the birthstone for May, Emerald carries the anticipation for an eternal spring, made vivid through its rich green hue. Believed to bring vision and intuition, this gemstone is one of sight – offering a view to truth and fortune in many cultures throughout history.
Emerald is 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale and has fair to good toughness, making it a stone that requires more care in wearing than ruby or sapphire.
Click here to find out how to care for your Emerald.
GARNET
Found around the world, Garnet has played a part in many ancient traditions and legends with its talismanic properties and status as an ornamental jewel. The gemstone to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of marriage and beginning the year as the birthstone for January, Garnet is seen as a sensual stone – one of strong feelings and protective force. Coloured a deep, loving red, this gemstone is felt to be at the heart of strength and healing, fortifying the wearer with its inner fire.
Garnet is a 6.5 - 7.5 on the Mohs scale, they have fair to good toughness, making them durable enough for all jewellery styles if they are treated with the proper care. Garnets should not be subjected to any hard blows or rough wear.
Click here to find out how to care for your Garnet.
HOWLITE
Alleviating anxiety, tensions and stress, Howlite is said to aid in awareness and attunement as a powerful, calming stone. Decoratively used across carvings, beads, polished stones and cabochons, this semi-precious stone is often dyed for jewellery and adornment – particularly suiting a turquoise hue. Used for meditation, Howlite can have mental and physical effects, meaning that it’s viewed as a force for the good, facilitating greater awareness and peace of mind.
Howlite is often dyed into various colours, the most common of which is turquoise coloured.
Howlite is around 3.5 on the Mohs scale, as it is a softer than many other gemstones it requires more care to avoid scratching.
Click here to find out how to care for your Howlite.
Lapis
Highly prized for thousands of years, the beautiful blue stone lapis captures the imagination. It is the accepted gem for the seventh and ninth wedding anniversary. A gemstone of ancient legend around the world, it was believed to have mystical properties and associated with royalty and deities. Used by artists to create ultramarine, this natural stone of the night sky and heavens is held in esteem for its intense blue colour and shimmering flecks. It is worn for insight, awareness, and truth.
Lapis is a 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, they have fair toughness and should be looked after with care.
Click here to find out how to care for your Lapis.
MOONSTONE
As ancient as the moon, this stone has a mysterious power, reflected in its mesmerising iridescence. Moonstone appears in the history of magic, often seen as an amulet or talisman for inward journeys and transformations of the soul. Used for travel, prophecy, passion and wisdom, the crystal is sacred in India, with a significance for lovers. Known to be nurturing, this is the birthstone for the month of June, and the gemstone gift for a 3rd wedding anniversary. Inherent is its capacity for calm, peace and balance.
When light falls on the stone, its layers reflect and reveal the beautiful rainbow iridescence moonstone is known for. Moonstone is a 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale and has fair to good toughness.
Click here to find out how to care for your Moonstone.
OPAL
Truly transformative, Opal is the healing stone of happy dreams and positive change. This all-seeing, ever-changing gemstone stone has cosmic connections, believed to spark the joys of an earthly existence with its aura of light, intuition and insight. October’s birthstone and the stone for the 14th year of marriage, this jewel has an ethereal appeal with many myths pertaining to it. Said to be spontaneous and freeing, this restorative natural stone has a history of being revelatory.
Opal ranges from 5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. It is more delicate and requires care when wearing so as to not scratch or break the stone.
Click here to find out how to care for your Opal.
PEARL
Purity and wisdom meet in Pearl. Treasured for thousands of years, these balancing gems are said to attract wealth and good fortune. Tied to loyalty, generosity and integrity, the precious stone of the sea has layers of meaning and symbolism. Appearing as the 3rd and 30th wedding anniversary stone and an alternative birthstone for June, Pearl has been revered for its precious nature and rarity, with ancient myths across cultures highlighting its importance.
Pearl is 2.5 on the Mohs scale, which means it is more vulnerable to being scratched. But with care, pearl jewellery can be a lasting treasure.
Click here to find out how to care for your Pearl.
PERIDOT
Remarkable in form, Peridot plays a part in protecting the aura and alleviating life’s burdens – seen to powerfully generate reserves of strength. The National Gem of Egypt, this stone was seen by Ancient Egyptians as the gem of the sun and it is the birthstone for August and 16th wedding anniversary stone. Peridot has been used in both physical and metaphysical quests, leading towards discovery and enlightenment. A sun stone to ward against darkness, this gem wields luck.
Peridot is a 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, it has fair to good toughness.
Click here to find out how to care for your Peridot.
ROSE QUARTZ
The crystal of unconditional love, Rose Quartz is seen by many as a stone of the heart. Its soft, gentle associations and healing energy capture a devotional essence, leading towards fulfilment and contentment. Used as a love token since ancient times, this gemstone has a history of romance, developing bonds through gifting. Nurturing the soul, Rose Quartz can be calming and reassuring – capturing the inspiration and beauty that brings a soothing sense of comfort.
Rose Quartz is a 7 on the Mohs scale, it has fair to good toughness.
Click here to find out how to care for your Rose Quartz.
RUBY
A noble gem, Ruby has spoken to the hearts of history’s kings and queens. The allure of this stone is undeniable, felt by ancients to surpass even the Diamond in value and virtue. July’s birthstone is a fiery red, marking the 15th, 40th and 80th wedding anniversaries with a hue that suggest an inextinguishable flame. An amulet and charm in legends, this precious stone has been said to keep the wearer safe from danger. Vibrant and stimulating, Ruby is associated with faithful love.
Ruby is 9 on the Mohs scale, making it the second hardest gem; along with sapphire. This makes it ideal for daily wear.
Click here to find out how to care for your Ruby.
SAPPHIRE
Signifying truth, insight and constancy, celestial Sapphire is the stone of wisdom, royalty, prophecy and favour. September’s birthstone and the jewel traditionally given on 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries, Sapphire has been prized by civilisations and poets – the rulers of ancient Persia believing that the reflection of these stones painted the sky blue. The gemstone of ideas, Blue Sapphire captures hues from azure to indigo, bringing deep, meaningful understanding.
Sapphire is a 9 on the Mohs scale, making it the second hardest gem; along with ruby. This makes it ideal for daily wear.
Click here to find out how to care for your Sapphire.
TURQUOISE
The stone of the sky and birthstone of December, Turquoise is also traditionally given at the 11th wedding anniversary. An ancient talisman wielded by kings, shamans and warriors for protection, this stone spans cultures and centuries – held in esteem as a symbol of wisdom. Decisive and enduring, Turquoise promotes leadership and is believed to ward off all evil, bringing the wearer sanctuary. It’s felt that this semi-precious stone keeps the spirit of the sky alive on earth.
Turquoise ranks 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale and has fair to good toughness.
Click here to find out how to care for your Turquoise.
