Diamond & Gemstone Guide
Gemstones
Gemstones have an uniquely intoxicating character all of their own and come in a tantalising array of colours that make your jewellery radiant, distinctive and beautiful.
Gemstones are rare, they have been created deep in the earth’s core, through heat and stress over many, many millions of years. They are found in the harshest of places on earth from emeralds in the steaming heat of Colombia to diamonds in the baking sun of southern Africa.
The stones and their colours come in an array of colours which is virtually limitless.
Diamonds
The ‘Prince of Gems’
Diamonds are the ultimate stone. Hard, durable, beautiful and with an unmatched sparkle.
Diamonds are the ultimate stone. Hard, durable, beautiful and with an unmatched sparkle.
Rubies and Sapphires
Rubies and Sapphires
The wonder of rubies and sapphires is they can be tailored to taste. They offer a range of beautiful blues or ravishing reds yet there are yellow, pink and violet sapphires, too.
The wonder of rubies and sapphires is they can be tailored to taste. They offer a range of beautiful blues or ravishing reds yet there are yellow, pink and violet sapphires, too.
Emeralds
Emeralds
The emerald’s green is intense yet it’s a brittle, more fragile stone. Which is why the emerald-cut shape was developed to protect it.
The emerald’s green is intense yet it’s a brittle, more fragile stone. Which is why the emerald-cut shape was developed to protect it.
Tanzanites
Tanzanites
Found only in Tanzania, the tanzanite marries purples and blues. Tender and tantalising.
Found only in Tanzania, the tanzanite marries purples and blues. Tender and tantalising.
Garnets
Garnets
A rainbow of colours - red, marmalade orange and the intense green of tsavorite. Garnets are generally un-treated and more affordable.
A rainbow of colours - red, marmalade orange and the intense green of tsavorite. Garnets are generally un-treated and more affordable.
Amethysts
Amethysts
Radiant in its shades of purple, legend has it that this durable member of the quartz family can protect against drunkenness!
Radiant in its shades of purple, legend has it that this durable member of the quartz family can protect against drunkenness!
Citrine
Citrine
Citrine is a quartz, the pale yellow to brownish-orange cousin of amethyst. Its attractive colour, durability and affordability makes it the favourite yellow-orange gem.
Citrine is a quartz, the pale yellow to brownish-orange cousin of amethyst. Its attractive colour, durability and affordability makes it the favourite yellow-orange gem.
Pearls
Pearls
Pearls are a delicate, natural, organic mineral, beautiful and shimmering with a shiny lustre created by the mollusc host where they are grown. They are best worn or stored well away from other stones.
Pearls are a delicate, natural, organic mineral, beautiful and shimmering with a shiny lustre created by the mollusc host where they are grown. They are best worn or stored well away from other stones.
Topaz
Topaz
From pinks to oranges, topaz comes in an explosion of colour, the most famous being sky blue.
From pinks to oranges, topaz comes in an explosion of colour, the most famous being sky blue.
Opals
Opals
Opals are unique for their sheer play of colour. As cabochons, the curved surface helps this less durable stone survive knocks and scrapes.
Opals are unique for their sheer play of colour. As cabochons, the curved surface helps this less durable stone survive knocks and scrapes.
Peridots
Peridots
Peridot is a uniquely apple green vitreous stone. The play of greens and small black inclusions surrounded by a halo give it its affectionate name of ‘Lily Pad’.
Peridot is a uniquely apple green vitreous stone. The play of greens and small black inclusions surrounded by a halo give it its affectionate name of ‘Lily Pad’.
Aquamarines
Aquamarines
As the name suggests, aquamarines were once thought to come from the sea, but the actually belong to the emerald family. Their long parallel-needle inclusions are colloquially known as ‘rain’!
As the name suggests, aquamarines were once thought to come from the sea, but the actually belong to the emerald family. Their long parallel-needle inclusions are colloquially known as ‘rain’!
Tourmalines
Tourmalines
Tourmaline comes in green, blue-green, mint, yellow and even dusky pink.
Tourmaline comes in green, blue-green, mint, yellow and even dusky pink.
Diamond Info Guides
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