Gemstones have been recognised for their beauty and worth for hundreds, if not thousands of years. We give you a beginner’s guide to gemstones.
These beautiful pieces of nature hold a certain uniqueness, with their scarcity contributing to their value.
We will be introducing the four most popular and precious gemstones, diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds!
Understanding some of the significance of these gemstones could help you with making the best decision when purchasing a beautiful piece of jewellery, especially if you also care about sustainable living.
1. Diamonds
Diamonds are the most popular gemstone as they represent light, the sun, power, love, and strength. For centuries, diamonds have been worn by leaders as a symbol of strength, with the thought that they were unconquerable. The stunning clarity of diamonds makes them a timeless choice. They also score a 10 (the highest possible score) on the Mohs scale of hardness, making them one of the hardest and most durable materials on earth.
For this reason, they are exceptionally popular, especially for engagement rings. This gemstone holds a depth of meaning and history that makes it a very popular choice. And if you are thinking about more sustainable options, explore lab-grown diamonds too.
2. Sapphires
Sapphires are another classic gemstone, with a deep blue colour that has been worn and appreciated for centuries. They are known to be a symbol of the heavens, a promoter of good health and they are also seen as bringing joy, fulfilment, prosperity, and inner peace to the wearer. Scoring a 9 on the Mohs scale, this is an incredibly tough stone.
Sapphires have always been worn by the Royal Family, becoming particularly popular following the engagement of Prince Charles and Princess Diana in February 1981. The popularity of sapphires also saw another spike when Prince William and Princess Kate got engaged in 2010. Vintage sapphire engagement rings became exceptionally popular during both of these times. The beauty of sapphires is undeniable and the depth of meaning behind them makes them all the more special.
3. Rubies
The next beautiful gemstone we will be looking at are rubies, stunning vibrant red stones that represent wealth and prosperity. They are thought to energise and balance the wearer, embodying a passion for life. Some people even believe in the healing power of rubies, helping to detoxify the body and blood.
Scoring a 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, this stone has excellent toughness. The beauty of rubies is simply undeniable and continues to be treasured by societies all over the world.
4. Emeralds
Another stunning precious gemstone is the emerald, a slightly bluish, vivid green stone that embodies classical beauty. The colour can vary, with the deepest green shades being the most expensive. Throughout time, emeralds have been known as a symbol of love and truth. In ancient Greece and Rome, emeralds were associated with the goddess Venus, representing love and hope. Other societies saw emeralds as a source of eternal life.
They became exceptionally popular in the Art Deco period particularly, across the 1920’s and 1930’s. Most commonly, you will see emeralds combined with gold for a timeless and classic finish, although the use of platinum with emeralds has been increasingly popular in the last few decades. Since then, they have always been sought after and continue to be an important and valued part of vintage jewellery collections across the world.
Final Thoughts
If you are considering buying a piece of jewellery, hopefully, this introduction to the different precious gemstones will help you to make a thoughtful decision! You probably won’t be able to truly appreciate the beauty of these precious gemstones until you see them in person, so head to a fully certified jeweller and explore the different options this way, so you know you’re making the right choice. You may also want to explore aquamarines and amethysts for that matter and get a consultation about the most suitable gemstones for you.
Manuela Willbold
Latest posts by Manuela Willbold (see all)
- 5 Changes You Can Make To Improve Your Fashion Website’s Conversion Rate - July 4, 2023
- 4 Advantages of SEO For Your Business - January 18, 2023
- Everything You Need To Know About Checking Your Debts - January 10, 2023