Choosing the right shape of diamond and Style Design is one of the best ways to enhance your finished item. We Outline the advantages and disadvantages to each.
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Exquisite green stones, stylish Emeralds are simply divine and are one of the most precious of stones and make the most exceptional items of jewellery. This stone represents the birthstone for May, believed to bring good fortune and youthfulness to the wearer. The stone was believed to be first mined in Egypt, 330 BC and the word comes from Persian meaning “Green Gem”.
Emeralds boast varying hues of green, ranging from deep, dark brilliant green to lighter, softer shades. The deeper the colour Emerald, the better quality stone, a really rich, green, clear emerald will be a very valuable gem. Measuring 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, Emeralds are not as hard as Diamonds, Sapphire and Rubies, they can de-stabilize above 1000 Deg C however, they will last a lifetime if cared for properly.
Almost every Emerald has imperfection but a good clarity Emerald means it is of a better quality. The best way to wear an Emerald is as a stunning cocktail ring but Emeralds are notoriously popular for ladies with green eyes because they bring out the colour to perfection, they also look incredible against creamy, porcelain complexions.
Known as “The King of Gems” in ancient times, warriors wore this stone to bring them good luck in war but these gems also represented good luck in love and are still believed to bring those who wear them romantic happiness, wisdom and prosperity. Kings and Queens wore Rubies during coronation ceremonies especially in England. Incredible stones, Rubies are bright, red, fiery and stunning precious gems, designed to be noticed.
They are adored by romantics across the world as red is traditionally the colour of love and there’s a red colour for everyone because Rubies come in a variety of different shades of red from softer, pinky-red to rich, dark, velvety red. The birthstone of July, a Ruby makes the ideal birthday gift and rating 9 on the Mohs scale, Rubies are notoriously strong so they are the type of stone which will last several lifetimes cared for properly.
The best quality Rubies are those with a warm and deep hue with a hint of blue but it is very difficult to find a Ruby which is flawless, the greater the clarity of a Ruby, the more valuable it will be. Rubies suit every skin colour but make a perfect choice for a redhead because of the tone of the gem. Wear as a necklace combined with diamonds or as a large, eye-catching cocktail ring, Rubies continue to fascinate and appeal to all who wear them.
Fabulous Sapphires have been worn since the Middle Ages and are still as popular today. People in the Middle Ages wore them to protect them from those wishing them harm and during Medieval times, clergymen wore them as a symbol of heaven. This precious gemstone boasts an incredibly brilliant blue colour. Especially ideal to bring out those with blue eyes, they enhance their beauty.
Sapphires are also the ideal choice for those who have a September birthday as they represent the birthstone of this month. Sapphires range in shade from very pale hues to deep and luscious midnight blues. Each shade of Sapphire has its own specific name, the most expensive Sapphire is known as Cornflower Blue or “Kashmir”. Very rare Sapphires are called “Padparadshah” and this colour changes according to the light it reflects.
Rated highly on the Mohs scale, Sapphire ranks 9, almost as hard as Diamond so it should last forever, looked after properly. Expect some imperfections in a Sapphire, the more inclusions and blemishes a Sapphire has, the less valuable it is and Sapphire, like Diamond is measured in weight and clarity. Sapphires make stunning jewellery, from attractive bracelets to gorgeous necklaces, rings and earrings.
The delightful pale sea-blue shades of Aquamarine make this a most radiant gemstone with extraordinary elegance and stunning light blue shades. Ever-popular Aquamarine flatters every skin tone especially those with blue eyes because it brings out the colour.
Legend has it that Aquamarine belonged to mermaids beneath the sea and sailors who found it believed it to be a lucky stone. During the old days, people would wear it to bring them good luck in marriage, especially women because it supposedly brought happiness and prosperity! The Aquamarine gemstone is related to Emerald, party of the Beryl family and most Aquamarines boast extreme clarity, almost free of inclusions.
When you purchase Aquamarine your stone should have exceptional sheen, it rates 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs rating scale which means it is fairly resistant to scratches so should remain as beautiful as the day you bought it. Aquamarine possesses iron which gives it its rare blue colouration and the deeper the colour, the more valuable the stone.
Wearing Aquamarine is believed to represent trust, friendship and tranquillity and there are many different cuts because this gemstone is a popular shade for jewellery designers.
Sensational violet or blue coloured Tanzanite is derived from the mineral known as “zoisite” and was first found in the 1960’s in Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, hence its name. It is only mined in this part of the world therefore it is considered rare so can be expensive.
This semi-precious gemstone is heralded as the gemstone of the 20th Century because it is less than 60 years since its first discovery. Its value is determined by gemstone size and number of flaws, the larger the stone and the clearer it is, the greater the value.
With a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale it is quite soft so is mainly used in delicate jewellery particularly pendants, earrings and necklaces and as one of the birthstones for the month of December, a piece of Tanzanite jewellery is the perfect gift. To care for this delicate stone it’s best not to subject it to sudden temperature variation because of the risk of cracking; it should be stored in a soft pouch to prevent scratches and gently washed in water with a mild soap.
A healing semi-precious gemstone, in an array of greens and yellows, Peridot is believed to have many positive benefits to the wearer. The birthstone associated with the month of August, this green-yellow stone supposedly gives the wearer magical powers, preventing bad dreams and bringing power, stature and good luck.
It is one of the oldest gemstones, mined from the 1500 BC and today Peridot can be found in Arizona, Pakistan, China and Mynamor where it is brought to the surface of the earth by volcanic eruptions and then extracted and crafted into jewels. This gemstone was especially popular during the Ancient Egyptian times and today, historians believe that some of the gems worn by Cleopatra were actually Peridot rather than Emeralds.
The gemstone is also believed by Hawaiians to be a symbol of the tears of their Goddess of fire, Pele. Relatively hard, Peridot measures 7 on the Mohs scale so it is a durable semi-precious stone. You will find Peridot fashioned into intricate beaded bracelets and necklaces although it is often made into other jewellery too and is a stylish, inexpensive stone.
The purple-red hued Amethyst semi-precious gemstone that turns into stunning item of dress jewellery. Amethyst has been worn for thousands of years and is a member of the quartz family. While historically the Amethyst was believed to be found in Russia its name comes from the Greek word “amethystos” and in the past was an extremely regal stone worn during Greek and Roman times.
This gemstone represents the birthstone for the month of February, making a unique gift for those with birthdays during this month. Wearing this stone apparently brings good fortune and protection against unpleasant spirits – in fact, during ancient times, people would wear Amethyst stones around their neck on a dog’s hair cord to protect them from poisonous snake bites!
Additionally, the stone is believed to cleanse and purify the wearer which is why it was used in Catholicism to decorate ornate crosses and rings. The Amethyst rates 7 on the Mohs scale, however, its colour is sometimes uneven on very big stones which is why it is rarely found in large-cut pieces.
There’s no doubt, set in a necklace, ring or pair of earrings, Amethyst draws the eye and flatters all skin-tones especially when set in white gold or silver to bring out its rich depth of colour.
