Precious Gemstones

Diamond

• Color: Typically colorless, but can occur in shades like yellow, blue, pink, and more
• Hardness: 10 on the Mohs scale (the hardest known natural material)
• Birthstone: April
• Significance: Eternal love, strength, clarity

Diamonds are cherished for their unmatched brilliance and exceptional durability. Each stone is evaluated using the 4Cs — Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight — which determine its overall beauty and value.

Historical Significance

The word diamond comes from the Greek adamas, meaning "invincible" or "indestructible." Ancient Greeks and Romans believed diamonds were celestial — tears of the gods or fragments of fallen stars. Diamonds became a symbol of enduring love in 1477 when Archduke Maximilian of Austria presented the first diamond engagement ring to Mary of Burgundy, setting a royal precedent that lives on today.

Fun Fact: The largest diamond ever discovered is the Cullinan Diamond, weighing a staggering 3,106 carats. It was cut into several stones, including the famed Great Star of Africa, now part of the British Crown Jewels.

Ruby

• Color: Vivid red to pinkish-red
• Hardness: 9 on the Mohs scale
• Birthstone: July
• Significance: Passion, protection, and vitality

Rubies have long been treasured for their rich, fiery hue and remarkable durability. Often called the "king of gemstones," rubies are a symbol of love, power, and prosperity. Their intense color and rarity make them one of the most valuable gemstones in the world, especially in high-quality, untreated form.

Historical Significance

The name ruby comes from the Latin word ruber, meaning “red.” In ancient India, rubies were known as the “ratnaraj” or “king of precious stones.” They were believed to hold the power of life and were worn by warriors for protection in battle. Burmese warriors even believed that inserting rubies into their flesh would make them invincible.

Throughout history, rubies adorned the armor, crowns, and jewelry of royalty and the elite. In medieval Europe, rubies were thought to bestow wealth, wisdom, and success in love.

Fun Fact: The Sunrise Ruby, a rare 25.6-carat Burmese ruby, sold at auction for over $30 million — making it one of the most expensive colored gemstones ever sold

Sapphire

• Color: Commonly deep blue, but available in nearly every color of the rainbow (except red)
• Hardness: 9 on the Mohs scale
• Birthstone: September
• Significance: Wisdom, loyalty, and nobility

Sapphires are beloved for their striking colors and incredible durability. Though most well-known in deep blue, sapphires come in a range of hues including pink, yellow, green, white, and even the rare padparadscha—a delicate pink-orange shade. Their timeless beauty and resilience make them a favorite for engagement rings and heirloom pieces.

Historical Significance

The word sapphire originates from the Greek word sappheiros, possibly referring to lapis lazuli in ancient times. Throughout history, sapphires were worn by royalty and clergy as symbols of purity and divine favor. In ancient Persia, people believed the sky was blue because it reflected the color of a giant sapphire upon which the Earth rested.

In the Middle Ages, clergy wore sapphires to symbolize Heaven, and they were thought to protect the wearer from envy and harm. Sapphires have continued to carry royal connotations into modern times—most famously in Princess Diana’s blue sapphire engagement ring, now worn by the Princess of Wales, Catherine Middleton.

Fun Fact: While red corundum is classified as ruby, all other colors of corundum—including blue—are considered sapphires.

Emerald

• Color: Rich green to bluish-green
• Hardness: 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale
• Birthstone: May
• Significance: Renewal, love, and prosperity

Emeralds are treasured for their vivid green color and unique internal characteristics, often called jardin (French for "garden") due to their mossy appearance. These inclusions are part of what gives emeralds their charm and individuality. Their vibrant hue makes them a standout in fine jewelry and a symbol of luxurious elegance.

Historical Significance

The name emerald comes from the Greek word smaragdus, meaning green gem. Emeralds have been cherished since ancient times—Cleopatra was famously enamored with them and had her own mines in Egypt. The Romans associated emeralds with Venus, the goddess of love, believing the stone could bring fertility and rebirth.

In the Middle Ages, emeralds were thought to have the power to foresee the future, ward off evil spirits, and cure diseases. They were also believed to reveal the truth or protect against spells.

Fun Fact: The finest emeralds come from Colombia, with some mines producing stones for over 500 years. The Muzo mine is especially famous for its deep green, highly prized emeralds.

Pearl

• Color: White, cream, pink, silver, gold, gray, and black
• Hardness: 2.5–4.5 on the Mohs scale
• Birthstone: June
• Significance: Purity, wisdom, and new beginnings

Pearls are organic gemstones formed within mollusks, making them one of the only gemstones created by living creatures. Unlike other gems, pearls require no cutting or polishing to reveal their beauty—they emerge naturally luminous with a soft, iridescent glow.

Pearls are prized for their elegance and timeless charm. They are often associated with weddings and rites of passage and are a symbol of refinement and grace.

Historical Significance

Pearls have been cherished for thousands of years and were once considered the most valuable gemstone in the world. In ancient Rome, pearls were a status symbol of wealth and power. In many cultures, they were thought to be tears of the gods or moonlight solidified in the ocean.

During the Renaissance, European royalty and nobility wore pearls lavishly as a mark of prestige. In the 20th century, Coco Chanel helped popularize pearls as a staple of modern elegance.

Fun Fact: Natural pearls are extremely rare; today, most pearls used in jewelry are cultured—carefully grown under controlled conditions in pearl farms. The largest known pearl in the world is the Pearl of Lao Tzu (also known as the Pearl of Allah), weighing 6.4 kg (14.1 lb).

Amethyst

• Color: Deep violet to light lavender
• Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
• Birthstone: February
• Significance: Peace, protection, and clarity of mind

Amethyst is a striking purple variety of quartz prized for its calming energy and regal appearance. Its rich color makes it a popular choice for both everyday and statement jewelry. Believed to promote serenity and spiritual growth, amethyst is often used in meditation and healing practices.

Historical Significance

The name amethyst comes from the Greek word amethystos, meaning “not intoxicated.” Ancient Greeks and Romans believed the stone protected against drunkenness and often wore or drank from vessels carved from amethyst to ward off intoxication.

Amethyst was once considered as valuable as ruby or emerald and was worn by royalty and clergy to signify wisdom, humility, and piety. In medieval times, it was believed to protect soldiers in battle and bring victory.

Fun Fact: Large deposits of high-quality amethyst are found in Brazil and Uruguay, with geodes sometimes measuring over 10 feet wide and lined with glittering purple crystals.