Diamond
These are formed deep within the Earth's mantle under extreme heat and pressure and are brought to the surface through volcanic eruptions. Major diamond-producing countries include Botswana, Russia, Canada, Australia, and South Africa.
- Ancient Origins: Diamonds were first mined in India over 4,000 years ago.
- Formation Deep Below Earth: They form about 100 miles beneath the Earth's surface and are brought closer to the surface through volcanic eruptions.
- Hardest Natural Substance: Diamonds are the hardest natural material on Earth, making them ideal for use in jewellery and cutting tools.
- Billions of Years Old: Most diamonds found today are between 1 and 3.5 billion years old.
- Unique Like Fingerprints: No two diamonds are exactly alike; each one has unique characteristics.
- Conductors of Heat: Diamonds are excellent conductors of heat and are used in various industrial applications.
- Valuable for Industrial Use: Beyond jewellery, diamonds are highly valued in industry for cutting, grinding, and drilling.
- Colour Variety: While most diamonds are clear, they can come in various colours, including blue, green, pink, and yellow, due to impurities and structural defects.
- Birthstones: Diamonds are the birthstone for April and are believed to bring strength and courage to those who wear them.
Ruby
Rubies continue to be one of the most coveted gemstones in the world, celebrated for their beauty, rarity, and durability. Rubies are primarily found in marble deposits in regions with specific geological conditions. Notable sources include Myanmar (formerly Burma), which is known for some of the finest rubies, as well as Thailand, Mozambique, and parts of East Africa.
- Chemical Composition: Rubies are made of corundum (aluminum oxide). The red color is primarily due to the presence of the element chromium.
- Hardness: Rubies are very hard, scoring 9 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, which makes them the second hardest natural gemstone after diamonds.
- Sources: Major ruby mining countries include Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and more recently, Africa (Mozambique and Tanzania).
- Colour: The most sought-after rubies are known as "pigeon's blood" due to their deep red colour with a hint of blue. The intensity of the colour greatly affects the value.
- Symbolism: Rubies are often associated with passion, protection, and prosperity. They are considered the king of gems and represent love, health, and wisdom.
- Treatments: Many rubies undergo treatments to improve their colour and clarity. Common treatments include heat treatment, which can enhance both colour and clarity.
- Historical Significance: Rubies have been prized for thousands of years. They were mentioned in the Bible, worn by royalty throughout history, and used to adorn armour, weapons, and jewellery.
- Valuation: The value of a ruby is determined by its colour, clarity, cut, and carat weight. High-quality rubies can be more valuable than diamonds of similar size.
- Birthstone: Ruby is the birthstone for July and is traditionally given on the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.
- Synthetic and Imitation Rubies: Synthetic rubies have been produced since the early 20th century, and while they have the same chemical composition as natural rubies, they are much less valuable. Imitation rubies, made from materials like glass or other gemstones, are also common.
Sapphire
Sapphires are cherished for their beauty and durability, making them a favourite gemstone for jewellery and ornamental purposes. Sapphires are found in various parts of the world, the most prized blue sapphires typically come from Kashmir (India), Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar. Each source is known for producing sapphires with distinct hues and qualities. Sapphires can be found colours such as pink, green, orange, yellow and red with varying tones of each.
- Chemical Composition: Sapphires are made of corundum (aluminium oxide), the same as rubies. The variety of colours, except red, is due to trace elements such as iron, titanium, chromium, copper, or magnesium.
- Hardness: Sapphires score a 9 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, making them the second hardest natural gemstone after diamonds.
- Colour Variety: While the most famous sapphires are blue, they actually come in a variety of colours including yellow, purple, orange, and green. The only colour they do not come in is red, as red corundum stones are classified as rubies.
- Sources: Significant sources of sapphires include Kashmir (India), Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Thailand, and Australia. Each source is known for producing sapphires of particular characteristics and qualities.
- Treatments: Many sapphires undergo treatments to enhance their color and clarity. Heat treatment is the most common and accepted practice.
- Value Factors: The value of a sapphire is determined by several factors including colour, clarity, size, cut, and origin. The most valuable sapphires have a rich, intense blue colour and excellent transparency.
- Historical Significance: Sapphires have been prized as great gemstones since 800 BC. Rulers of ancient Persia believed the sky was painted blue by the reflection of sapphire stones.
- Symbolism: Sapphires symbolize nobility, truth, sincerity, and faithfulness. They have been associated with royalty and romance and are believed to attract abundance and blessings.
- Famous Sapphires: The Star of India (563 carats) and the Logan Sapphire (423 carats) are among the largest and most famous sapphires in the world.
- Birthstone and Anniversaries: Sapphire is the birthstone for September and is traditionally given as a gift for the 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries.
- Synthetic Sapphires: Synthetic sapphires have been produced since the early 1900s. They have the same physical and chemical properties as natural sapphires but are much less expensive.
Emerald
Emeralds are highly valued for their unique green colour, rarity, and historical significance, making them one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world. Emeralds are most famously sourced from Colombia, which is renowned for high-quality stones with a distinct deep green colour. Other significant sources include Brazil, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
- Chemical Composition: Emeralds are a variety of the mineral beryl, coloured green by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium.
- Hardness: They have a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, making them durable but more prone to chipping and cracking than diamonds, rubies, or sapphires.
- Sources: The most famous emerald mining locations include Colombia, which is known for producing the finest emeralds in the world. Other notable sources are Brazil, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
- Colour: The most prized emeralds have a vivid, deep green colour. The presence of bluish green to pure green hues, with high saturation, defines the highest quality stones.
- Inclusions: Emeralds are known for having inclusions, which are sometimes referred to as "Jardin" (French for garden). These inclusions are accepted in emeralds more than in any other gemstone, often enhancing their character.
- Treatments: Most emeralds undergo some form of treatment, such as oiling, to improve clarity and appearance. This treatment is widely accepted as long as it is disclosed.
- Historical Significance: Emeralds have been cherished throughout history, dating back to ancient Egypt, where Cleopatra was known to have a passion for emeralds.
- Symbolism: They symbolize rebirth, renewal, and growth, making them a popular choice for spring jewellery collections and gifts representing new beginnings.
- Value: The value of an emerald is determined by its colour, clarity, cut, and carat weight. High-quality emeralds can be worth more than diamonds.
- Birthstone and Anniversaries: Emerald is the birthstone for May and is traditionally given as a gift for the 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries.
- Famous Emeralds: The Bahia Emerald, containing one of the largest single emerald crystals in the world, and the Mogul Mughal Emerald, known for its historical inscription and size, are among the most famous emeralds.
Tourmaline
Tourmaline's incredible colour range and unique properties make it a favourite among gemstone collectors and jewellery enthusiasts alike. These gemstones are found in various global locations, including Brazil, which is known for its wide range of tourmaline colours, the United States (particularly California and Maine), Nigeria, Mozambique, and Afghanistan.
- Chemical Composition: Tourmaline is a complex borosilicate mineral with a varied composition, often including elements such as aluminium, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium, or potassium.
- Colour Diversity: Tourmaline comes in a wider variety of colours than any other gemstone, ranging from vibrant greens and blues to intense pinks and reds, as well as multi-coloured stones.
- Piezoelectricity and Pyroelectricity: Tourmaline exhibits both piezoelectricity and pyroelectricity, meaning it can become electrically charged through heat or pressure, attracting dust and small particles.
- Sources: Major sources of tourmaline include Brazil, Afghanistan, East Africa, and the USA, with each location producing tourmalines in distinct colours and quality.
- Watermelon Tourmaline: One of the most popular and interesting varieties is watermelon tourmaline, which is green on the outside and pink on the inside, resembling a watermelon.
- Healing Properties: Tourmaline is believed to have various healing properties, including aiding in detoxification, supporting fat loss, and improving circulation. These properties are more metaphysical than scientific.
- Historical Use: Tourmaline was historically mistaken for other gemstones due to its wide colour range. It was not until the 1800s that scientists recognized tourmaline as a distinct mineral species.
- October Birthstone: Tourmaline, along with opal, is the birthstone for October and is traditionally given to celebrate the 8th wedding anniversary.
- Valuation: The value of tourmaline varies greatly depending on its color, clarity, size, and cut. Some of the most valuable tourmalines are the vivid blue or green Paraiba tourmalines from Brazil and Africa.
- Crystal Structure: Tourmaline crystals are often elongated and striated parallel to their length, which influences how they are cut and used in jewellery.
- Sustainability: Tourmaline mining impacts are generally lower compared to other gemstones, making it a more sustainable choice for environmentally conscious consumers.
Tanzanite
Tanzanite's unique origins, stunning colour spectrum, and rarity make it a prized possession for gemstone enthusiasts and jewellery lovers around the world. Tanzanite is a rare gemstone found almost exclusively in the Merelani Hills near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. While it is typically known for its blue-violet colour, it can also be found in rare orange hues.
- Geological Rarity: Tanzanite is one of the rarest gemstones on Earth, found only in one location: a small area at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro in the Manyara Region of Northern Tanzania.
- Discovery: Tanzanite was discovered in 1967 and quickly became popular through the efforts of Tiffany & Co., which named the gemstone after its country of origin and promoted it with a broad marketing campaign.
- Colour Range: Tanzanite displays a remarkable range of colors, from blue to violet, depending on the lighting conditions. It is one of the few gemstones that exhibit strong trichroism, showing different colours when viewed from different angles.
- Heat Treatment: Almost all tanzanite on the market has been heat-treated to enhance its blue colour and minimize the brown tones that are often present when the gemstone is mined.
- Hardness and Durability: Tanzanite has a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, which makes it suitable for jewellery that will not encounter rough wear.
- Value and Rarity: Due to its limited supply, unique origin, and beautiful colour, tanzanite is considered a valuable gemstone. Its value can vary greatly depending on its quality, size, and colour.
- Birthstone: In 2002, tanzanite was added to the official birthstone list by the American Gem Trade Association as a birthstone for December, joining turquoise and zircon.
- Conservation Efforts: The mining of tanzanite is closely regulated to ensure its availability for future generations and to prevent smuggling. The Tanzanian government has taken steps to establish a controlled mining area and to promote local beneficiation of the gemstone.
- Investment Potential: Given its rarity and the finite supply, tanzanite is often considered by collectors and investors as a good potential investment.
- Metaphysical Properties: Tanzanite is believed to have several metaphysical properties, including the ability to inspire compassion, calm, and harmony. It is also thought to aid in communication and psychic power.
Opal
Opals are cherished for their stunning play-of-colour and unique properties, making them a fascinating and highly sought-after gemstone in the world of jewellery. Australia is the most famous source of opals, known particularly for producing a vast majority of the world's precious opals, especially from the region of Coober Pedy. Other sources include Ethiopia, Mexico, and Brazil.
- Chemical Composition: Opals are made of silica and water. Their unique colour play, or "play-of-colour," is caused by the diffraction of light off the tiny silica spheres within the stone.
- Types of Opal: There are several types of opal, including black opal (known for its dark body colour and vibrant play-of-colour), white opal (light body colour with play-of-colour), and fire opal (ranging from yellow to red-orange, sometimes without play-of-colour).
- Water Content: Opals can contain up to 20% water, which is why they may crack if exposed to very dry conditions or sudden changes in temperature.
- Hardness: Opals are relatively soft compared to many other gemstones, with a Mohs hardness rating of about 5.5 to 6.5. They require careful handling to avoid scratching or chipping.
- Sources: Australia is the leading producer of opals, contributing to around 95% of the world's supply. Other notable sources include Mexico (known for fire opals), Ethiopia, Brazil, and the United States.
- National Gemstone: Opal is Australia's national gemstone, and the country is famous for its quality and variety of opals, especially from regions like Coober Pedy, Lightning Ridge, and Andamooka.
- Symbolism and Beliefs: Opals have been associated with various symbols and beliefs, including hope, purity, and protection. In medieval times, opals were believed to bring good luck and enhance the wearer's vision and foresight.
- Famous Opals: Some of the world's most famous opals include the "Black Prince's Ruby," the "Fire of Australia," and the "Olympic Australis."
- Birthstone: Opal is the birthstone for October, along with tourmaline, and is believed to represent healing, luck, and hope.
- Care: Due to their water content and relative softness, opals require special care to prevent drying out, cracking, or scratching. It's advised not to expose opals to harsh chemicals or extreme temperature changes.
Quartz
Quartz's versatility, from its wide range of appearances to its use in technology, along with its natural abundance, makes it an incredibly important and fascinating mineral. Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals found in the Earth's crust and can be sourced from many locations worldwide. Varieties like Amethyst are primarily found in Brazil and Uruguay. Citrine, another quartz variety, is also predominantly found in Brazil.
- Chemical Composition: Quartz is a mineral composed of silicon dioxide (SiO2) and is the second most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust.
- Variety and Colour: Quartz occurs in a wide range of varieties and colours, including clear (rock crystal), purple (amethyst), yellow (citrine), pink (rose quartz), and many others due to various impurities and conditions during formation.
- Hardness: It has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, making it very durable and suitable for a wide range of jewellery and ornamental uses.
- Piezoelectric Properties: Quartz has piezoelectric properties, meaning it can generate an electric potential when mechanical stress is applied. This property is utilized in many modern technologies, including watches and electronic equipment.
- Formation: Quartz forms at all temperatures. It is a primary mineral in igneous rocks such as granite and is also found in sedimentary rocks like sandstone and metamorphic rocks.
- Historical Uses: Quartz has been used in jewellery and hardstone carvings for thousands of years, dating back to ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Romans.
- Spiritual and Healing Beliefs: Many cultures believe in the healing and spiritual properties of quartz. For example, clear quartz is often called the "master healer" and is thought to amplify energy and thought.
- Ubiquitous Presence: Beyond its use in jewellery, quartz is used in the manufacturing of glass, as well as in the construction industry in the form of quartz sand and as a component of cement.
- Silica Forms: Quartz is one of several forms of silica and can transform into other silica minerals under varying conditions of temperature and pressure, contributing to the rock cycle.
- Technology and Industry: Due to its piezoelectric properties, purity, and durability, quartz is crucial in the production of electronic oscillators and filters. Synthetic quartz can be grown in laboratories for specific industrial applications.
Pearl
Pearls are unique among gemstones because they are the only ones formed within a living creature. Their timeless elegance and natural beauty make them a cherished choice for jewellery and adornment. Pearls are unique as they are organic gems produced within living molluscs. Natural pearls are found in the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Japan, and in the South Pacific. Cultured pearls, which are more common today, are farmed in places like Japan (Akoya pearls), French Polynesia (Tahitian pearls), and Australia (South Sea pearls).
- Natural Formation: Pearls are formed inside the shells of certain species of oysters and molluscs as a defence mechanism against a potentially threatening irritant such as a parasite or an injury, by coating it with layers of aragonite (a form of calcium carbonate) and conchiolin (an organic protein binder), which together are known as nacre.
- Types of Pearls: There are several types of pearls, including natural pearls (formed without human intervention), cultured pearls (created by inserting an irritant into the molluscs by humans), freshwater pearls (from rivers and lakes), and saltwater pearls (from oceans).
- Colours: Pearls come in a range of colours depending on the type of mollusc and its environment, including white, cream, black, gray, pink, blue, green, and yellow.
- Lustre: The quality of a pearl's lustre, or the way it reflects light, is one of the primary determinants of its value. High-quality pearls have a bright, reflective lustre.
- Shapes: Pearls can be round, semi-round, button, drop, pear, oval, baroque (irregularly shaped), and circled. Perfectly round pearls are the rarest and most valuable.
- Sources: Major pearl-producing regions include Japan, China, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Tahiti, and the Persian Gulf. The type and quality of pearls produced vary by region and mollusk species.
- Cultivation: The process of cultivating pearls in pearl farms can take anywhere from several months to several years, depending on the desired size of the pearl.
- Historical Significance: Pearls have been prized as gemstones for millennia, symbolizing purity, wealth, and beauty in various cultures. They were one of the favourite gem materials of the Roman Empire and have been used in jewellery for thousands of years.
- Birthstone and Anniversaries: Pearl is the birthstone for June and is traditionally given on the 3rd and 30th wedding anniversaries.
- Value Factors: The value of a pearl is determined by several factors including its lustre, colour, size, shape, and surface quality. Natural pearls tend to be more valuable than cultured pearls due to their rarity.
Topaz
Topaz's durability, combined with its wide range of colours and clarity, makes it a popular choice for jewellery and a fascinating gemstone for collectors. Topaz is found in a variety of locations, with Brazil being a major source, especially for precious topaz in shades of imperial, pink, and red. Other sources include Pakistan, Russia, and Nigeria, each producing topaz in different colours.
- Chemical Composition: Topaz is a silicate mineral of aluminium and fluorine, with the chemical formula Al2SiO4(F,OH)2.
- Hardness: It scores 8 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, making it one of the hardest naturally occurring minerals and suitable for various types of jewellery.
- Colour Variety: Although topaz is often associated with a golden yellow colour, it can be found in a variety of colours including blue, pink, peach, gold, green, and even colourless. The most valuable varieties are the pink and red colors, due to their rarity.
- Sources: Topaz is mined in many parts of the world, with significant deposits in Brazil, Pakistan, Russia, and Africa. The state of Minas Gerais in Brazil is one of the most famous regions for topaz.
- Birthstone: Topaz is the birthstone for November, alongside citrine. It is also traditionally given as a gift for the 4th, 19th, and 23rd wedding anniversaries.
- Historical Uses: Topaz has been known and valued since antiquity. It was believed by the Romans to improve eyesight. The Egyptians wore it as an amulet to protect against injury.
- Imperial Topaz: The rarest and most valuable topaz is called "Imperial Topaz," which is a vibrant orange to pink colour. It was named in the 19th century to honour the Russian czar, and only the royal family was allowed to own it.
- Treatment: Many topaz stones are treated to enhance their colour, especially blue topaz. Natural blue topaz is very rare and most blue topaz on the market has been irradiated and then heated to achieve its colour.
- Physical Properties: Topaz can exhibit pleochroism, meaning it can show different colours or intensities of colour when viewed from different angles.
- Metaphysical Beliefs: Topaz is believed to bring joy, generosity, abundance, and good health. It is also thought to promote honesty, openness, self-control, and self-realization.
Garnet
Garnets are celebrated for their beauty and versatility, not only as precious gemstones in the world of jewellery but also for their practical applications in various industries. This diverse group of minerals is sourced from different parts of the world. Notably, the bright green Tsavorite Garnet is mainly found in Kenya and Tanzania, while the deep red Almandine and Pyrope Garnets are more widespread, with sources including India, Sri Lanka, Brazil, and the United States.
- Chemical Composition: Garnets are a group of silicate minerals that have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives. Each type of garnet has a different chemical composition.
- Colour Variety: Although garnets are commonly associated with the colour red, they can be found in a wide range of colours including green, orange, yellow, purple, and even blue. Some garnets change colour in different types of light.
- Types of Garnet: The garnet group includes several different minerals, such as almandine, pyrope, spessartine, grossular, andradite, and uvarovite, each with its own unique properties and colour.
- Hardness: Garnets generally have a hardness of 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, making them durable enough for use in jewellery.
- Sources: Garnets are found worldwide, with significant sources in India, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Africa, and the USA.
- Historical Significance: Garnets have been known and used for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians valued garnets as ornaments and inlaid them in jewellery and ceremonial objects.
- Birthstone: Garnet is the birthstone for January and is traditionally given as a gift for the 2nd wedding anniversary.
- Industrial Uses: Beyond jewellery, garnet is also used as an abrasive material for waterjet cutting, sandblasting, and in water filtration systems due to its hardness and chemical resistance.
- Metaphysical Properties: Garnets are believed to possess various metaphysical properties, such as promoting health, passion, energy, and safety during travel.
- Rare Varieties: Some garnets, like demantoid and tsavorite, are highly prized and rare, known for their brilliance and vibrant green colour.
Amber
Amber's unique organic nature, historical significance, and the captivating time capsules it often contains make it a highly prized and fascinating gemstone. Although not a gemstone, amber is a fossilized tree resin with ornamental value. Major deposits of amber are found around the Baltic Sea, particularly in Russia and Poland. The Dominican Republic is also known for its blue amber.
- Organic Origin: Amber is not a mineral but fossilized tree resin from ancient forests. It is an organic gemstone, which distinguishes it from most other gemstones that are minerals.
- Age: The age of amber can range from less than a million to over 300 million years old. The most prized amber is typically between 30 million and 90 million years old.
- Color Variations: While amber is commonly associated with a golden yellow color, it can also be found in a range of colors including orange, brown, green, and even rare blue and red hues.
- Inclusions: Amber is famous for containing inclusions of insects, plants, and other organic matter that were trapped in the resin before it fossilized, offering a fascinating glimpse into prehistoric ecosystems.
- Sources: Significant deposits of amber are found in the Baltic region, particularly in countries like Russia, Poland, and Lithuania. Other notable sources include the Dominican Republic, Myanmar, and Mexico.
- Historical Use: Amber has been used for adornment and ceremonial purposes since the Neolithic times. It was also believed to have healing and protective properties in ancient cultures.
- Electrostatic Properties: Amber can become electrically charged through friction, attracting small particles. This property was known to the ancient Greeks, and the word "electron" (the root of "electricity") comes from their word for amber, "elektron."
- Ambergris vs. Amber: Amber should not be confused with ambergris, which is a waxy substance produced in the digestive system of sperm whales and used in the production of perfume.
- Amber Windows: In the past, amber was sometimes used to create small windows in churches and other buildings, due to its translucent properties.
- Conservation: The extraction and trade of amber, especially in significant fossil sites, are subjects of environmental and ethical consideration, aiming to balance commercial interest with the preservation of scientific knowledge and natural heritage.
