After a year of researching the historical and current use of the colour term “Peacock,” as well as considering industry feedback, GIA decided to add this descriptive term to better inform consumers.

The new term will be used when a pearl, strand or jewellery item meets carefully defined colour parameters for ‘Peacock’.

Defining the “Peacock” Colour Range

GIA’s industry analysis has identified a specific colour range that is widely agreed upon within the pearl trade as “peacock.” The general description of this colour range is a body colour with a hue that contains green, of mid-to-strong saturation and mid-to-dark tone, and with moderate or stronger overtone, usually pink, but it may be other hues, or orient.

When a pearl meets these carefully defined colour parameters, a comment stating, “This pearl is often referred to as a ‘Tahitian’ cultured pearl in the trade, and it falls into the select colour range that is known as ‘peacock'” will be added to any GIA pearl report.

No Extra Fee for the New Classification

GIA has confirmed that there will be no additional fee for this change.

The institute, best known for creating the 4Cs and the GIA International Diamond Grading System, has been a leader in the identification and classification of natural and cultured pearls since 1949. GIA has developed comprehensive standards for describing pearls, known as the GIA 7 Pearl Value Factors: Size, Shape, Color, Nacre, Lustre, Surface, and Matching.

What This Means for UK Jewellers

This new classification by GIA presents several implications for UK jewellers. Primarily, it can enhance the value proposition of Tahitian pearls falling within the “Peacock” colour range. The “Peacock” classification can make these pearls more desirable to consumers, potentially driving higher sales and profits.

Furthermore, this change can enhance transparency and consumer trust. By using a recognised and standardised colour term, jewellers can provide customers with clearer, more accurate information about the pearls they’re purchasing.

UK jewellers should update their knowledge and marketing materials to reflect this new classification. They should also ensure that their staff are trained to explain the “Peacock” colour range to customers.

While this change may seem minor, it may represent an opportunity for UK jewellers to enhance their pearl offerings, improve customer trust, and potentially drive higher sales.

The Argyle Rose is priced at A$2 million and will be exclusively available for purchase through the designers Solid Gold Diamonds, located in Perth. The piece showcases the last diamonds mined from the Argyle mine, including rare pink and blue diamonds.

A Captivating Masterpiece

The centrepiece of the Argyle Rose is a 1.36 carat fancy deep pink radiant-cut diamond. This is one of only twelve diamonds with a colour grading of 1P from the last 30 years of Argyle’s production.

Surrounding the centre stone are petal-shaped pink and blue Argyle diamonds, totalling 1.89 carats, accompanied by 2.80 carats of brilliant white diamonds. This rose motif is set in a combination of platinum and 18k white gold.

The Argyle Rose can be worn as either a ring or a statement pendant.

A Lasting Legacy

Sinead Kaufman, Chief Executive of Rio Tinto Minerals, expressed her delight in introducing the Argyle Rose to the world. She emphasised the rich history and provenance of this jewellery piece.

“These rare and precious diamonds are one and a half billion years old, from one of the most beautiful places on earth, and the world is simply not producing them anymore.” said Kaufman.

Argyle Pink Diamonds Icon Partner program

The Argyle Rose is an integral part of the Argyle Pink Diamonds Icon Partner program, initiated by Rio Tinto in 2022, to ensure the preservation of the origin and value of Argyle pink diamonds.

With the closure of the Argyle mine in November 2020 after 37 years of operation, the program aims to celebrate and protect the legacy of these exceptional gemstones.

The Argyle Pink Diamonds Icon Partner program collaborates with renowned international jewellers, known for their meticulous craftsmanship and innovative designs. Solid Gold Diamonds, located in Perth, Western Australia, has been involved with Argyle diamonds for three decades.

Peter Greene, Executive Chairman of Solid Gold Diamonds, said that “As a pioneer custodian of Argyle pink diamonds, it was incredibly humbling to be asked to design a true generational heirloom for the Argyle Pink Diamonds Icon program.”

The Ruby: History, Healing and Metaphysical properties

Rubies are minerals, a variety of corundum, which is also known as aluminium oxide (Al2O3). Sapphires are also corundum, so there’s more than just aluminium oxide that makes the gemstone. It’s the other elements—traces of metals—that give corundum its colour. The red and pink hues of rubies are caused by an element called chromium within the corundum. Chromium is often colourful when combined with other elements, yet silver when in its pure form. But understanding what rubies are doesn’t make them any less beautiful. If you’d like to understand more about the origin of the ruby, read this Discover Magazine article.

T The word ‘Ruby’ comes from the Latin word ‘Ruber’ – meaning: Red.

Where do rubies come from?

The most famous deposits of Ruby have been from Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Madagascar. They have also been mined in India, Australia, Brazil, Cambodia and Kenya along with some other countries.

However, the colour of the ruby varies with each individual deposit and hence, one cannot easily determine the source from the colour. Therefore, terms such as ‘Burmese Ruby’, and ‘Siam Ruby’ are totally erroneous and refer more to quality than origin. More on the colour of a ruby later in this article.

The Ruby has been a fiery and captivating gemstone over many centuries. It has been known to be a gemstone for nobility and royalty. In ancient times it was known to be a symbol of wealth and prosperity, and to the wearer, it brought peace, protection and help resolve disputes.

Today, Ruby’s metaphysical properties are no less astounding. This exquisite crystal emanates the pure red ray with a vibrancy unsurpassed in the mineral kingdom. It actively stimulates the Base Chakra, increasing vitality and chi, the life-force energy, throughout the physical body and into the spirit. It promotes a clear mind, increased concentration and motivation, and brings a sense of power to the wearer, a self-confidence and determination that overcomes timidity and propels one toward prosperity and achievement.

The Ruby gemstone in modern jewellery

The ruby gemstone is also known to symbolise passion, love, commitment and closeness. Therefore, it is known to be the gemstone of choice for 15^th and 40^th wedding anniversaries.

Many people also choose to wear a ruby engagement ring as opposed to a diamond one. This is because a ruby is the 2^nd hardest gemstone after a diamond and has a Moh’s hardness of 9 (a diamond has a hardness of 10 on the Moh’s scale). While the hardness makes it ideal for everyday wear, it also makes the stone brittle. So due care should be taken while wearing it. Indeed, I have seen ruby rings which have been passed down through generations – grandmother, mother and daughter. It is very versatile in modern jewellery and is often set along with diamonds in rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets.

Ruby gemstones are often set in yellow gold because the yellow metal will negate the purplish-blue secondary colour and make the gem look even more red than it is. However, I have seen rubies set in rose gold (or pink gold as some choose to call it) and it still looks equally beautiful.

The colour of a ruby

Even though the pre-dominant colour of the gemstone is red, it also has a secondary colour which can be brown, purplish-blue or orange. Unlike a diamond, there is no proper grading scale for the colour (or clarity) of a ruby. Three factors determine the colour of the stone: its hue, saturation and tone. The tone refers to how dark or light the primary red colour is. If it is too dark then it becomes hard to make out the red colour and if it is too light then it borders on being a pink colour. This is where buyer’s need to be careful that the jeweller is not selling them a pink sapphire in the name of a ruby. Large stones of a good red colour are rare. The saturation refers to how intense or deep the red colour is. So, a “strong” or “vivid” saturation makes a beautiful gemstone. And rubies that fluoresce (glow in ultraviolet light), can have even greater saturation.

For centuries, rubies have been found in the Mogok region of Myanmar and since the 1990’s deposits were also found at Mong Hsu. Only about 1% of the deposits are gem quality for jewellery use and the colour of these was popularly referred to as ‘pigeon’s blood’ colour.

Rubies from Thailand have a brown or violet tint to them. And these too have been declining in the size of their deposits.

Rubies from Sri Lanka have been found to have a light red to raspberry red colour.

Significant deposits have also been found in Tanzania and Kenya, East Africa. These are known to have a violet to brown-red secondary colour. Hence, these are a deeper red colour.

But like I mentioned at the start, the colour varies with individual deposits and hence, one cannot accurately predict the source of the gemstone from its colour. So, use the above as a general guide only because other factors such as the nature and type of inclusions within the stone also tell a story of origin.

Synthetic rubies

Unlike a diamond, where the fewer the inclusions, the more valuable the diamond and the fact that there is a formal scale to grade the clarity of a diamond, the ruby is totally opposite. The inclusions in a ruby are often an indicator that it is a genuine stone, so if you see a stone which is clear of inclusions, it is highly likely to be a synthetic.

As the mine’s around the world exhaust their capacity fewer stones and smaller natural rubies are found and these can be quite pricey if they are of good colour and cut. Technological advances have enabled the production of synthetic rubies which mirror the chemical, physical and optical properties of a ruby. But these can be differentiated by the fact that the imitation stones emit shortwave ultraviolet light.

Some synthetic ruby imitations are glass imitations and doublets: often with a garnet crown and glass underneath or the upper is a natural sapphire and synthetic ruby underneath. There are many false names also: Balas Ruby (= spinel), Cape Ruby (= pyrope) and Siberian Ruby (= tourmaline).

Inclusions in a ruby

All rubies contain some level of inclusions called ‘rutile needles’ or ‘silk’. The presence of inclusions in a ruby do not mean that the stone is of lower quality. To the contrary, they show the difference between a natural and synthetic stone. The type of inclusions – minerals, growth structures, canals or other cavities, often point to the origin of the stone. So, unless the jeweller actually discloses that the stone is a natural untreated ruby, one should assume that the stone has been treated. And these treatments are done to enhance the colour and durability of the stone.

Given that technology has become so good at imitating the physical, chemical and optical properties of a ruby it has become difficult for jewellers to tell the difference between a genuine treated ruby or a synthetic ruby. This has caused the best of jewellers to sell a synthetic ruby thinking that it is genuine; only for the customer to find out later from a professional valuation laboratory that their stone has only emotional value and is actually a synthetic stone of little monetary value.

Lab created processes to make synthetic rubies include: flame fusion, flux, hydrothermal and the Czochralski process.

For example: Image 1 below shows a natural Mong Hsu ruby (Myanmar) which has been “extensively heat treated with a flux to heal fissures”. “This flux treatment is especially well known from the rubies from Mong Hsu / Myanmar, which are usually strongly fissured by nature and thus need the flux to be attractive and / or survive the heat treatment.

Image 1: A Mong Hsu / Myanmar ruby heat treated under the presence of flux; the many veils present are former fissures that were filled by the flux and the glassy residues. Image courtesy: Dr T. Hainschwang, PhD, DUG, GGTL Laboratories Liechtenstein.

Compare that with the veils/inclusions within this next ruby ring shown in Image 2. The ruby is an oval shape, about 8 carats, mounted with two large trilliant cut diamonds on either side. Images 2 and 3 show these veils. It took deeper analysis in a laboratory to realise that these finger-print like inclusions were uncommon for untreated rubies.

Image 2: An oval 8 carat ruby ring and its inclusions (See Image 3 for the inclusions magnified). Image courtesy: Dr T. Hainschwang, PhD, DUG, GGTL Laboratories Liechtenstein.

Image 3: Magnified inclusions of the oval 8 carat ruby ring shown in Image 2. Image courtesy: Dr T. Hainschwang, PhD, DUG, GGTL Laboratories Liechtenstein.

As you will see in Image 4, Further microscopic analysis showed that the inclusions contained hidden two small hexagonal shiny platelets and silver grey particles in one area of the stone. “Such inclusions are very characteristic of synthetic rubies grown by the flux method and represent remnants from the crucible, usually (this case) platinum, or sometimes gold.”

Image 4: Under microscopic analysis it was revealed that the inclusions were biphase (solid/gas) and contained hexagonal platelets (top) and silver grey particles (bottom). This proved the ruby to be a synthetic origin grown by flux method. Image courtesy: Dr T. Hainschwang, PhD, DUG, GGTL Laboratories Liechtenstein.

The inclusions in this stone “consisted of biphase inclusions (sold/gas) making up extensive veils and silver grey particles and hexagonal platelets indicated with very high probability that the ruby was a flux grown synthetic”

The owner of this ruby ring was very surprised because they had purchased the ring from a respected German jeweller for a significant sum of money. It is highly likely that the jeweller did not know what he was selling since the identification of the stone was not obvious and needed extensive laboratory testing.

Famous Rubies

A beautiful natural ruby can be rarer and more expensive than a comparable diamond. The largest cuttable ruby weighed 400ct. It was found in Myanmar and was cut into three parts.

Some famous rubies of exceptional beauty are:

The Edwardes Ruby: 167ct, named after Major General Sir Herbert Benjamin, it was donated by John Ruskin in 1887 to British Museum of Natural History, London.

The Rosser Reeves Star Ruby: 138.7ct, in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC. It was found in Sri Lanka and named after Mr Rosser Reeves who donated this stone.

The De Long Star Ruby: 100ct, displayed at the American Museum of Natural History, New York.

The Peace Ruby: 25ct (43ct uncut), named as such because it was found in 1919 in the Mogok Myanmar mine at the end of World War 1. It has an irregular hexagonal shape with a flat apex. It has a perfect deep red pigeon’s blood colour and was purchased by an Indian trader in Myanmar who then had it cut in Mumbai into exquisite, flawless appearance. It was bought and sold several times over the years but its present location is unknown.

As you have probably figured out, the Ruby is a fascinating, captivating and stunning gemstone. It can be set into beautiful and exquisite pieces of jewellery. However, due care is required when purchasing the gemstone to ensure that you are getting what you are being promised and informed by the jeweller. At the time of purchase, if in any doubt, ensure that you request an independent valuation from a professional gem laboratory even if you have to pay a nominal fee for additional testing. If the stone is genuine and beautiful, it will be worth the money and the certification will certainly help you to obtain a good insurance valuation for it.

To ensure that you will make the best choice possible, here’s a short guide to help you find the perfect match.

Different varieties of pearls

The first thing you have to consider is the pearl type. In the broadest sense possible, commercial pearls are mainly split into two categories: freshwater pearls and saltwater pearls, each having their own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.

Freshwater pearls are mainly cultivated in mussels, and come in a wide array of shapes and colors. Most often, they are found in the baroque shape, meaning they are lumpy and no larger than 6 millimeters.

Saltwater pearls, on the other hand, grow in oysters, and are generally classified by the location they were grown in, or simply by the oyster species. Saltwater pearls, too, feature many colors, so you should not be concerned about limiting yourself to a certain palette.

Note that, while some of these following pearls are quite of expensive and out of many people’s price range, familiarizing yourself with as many varieties as possible will help you make an informed choice.

Akoya Pearls

Akoya pearls are named after the Akoya oyster, a species found in Japan, are what many people associate mentally with the concept of the classic pearl. Featuring a milky white color (although you can find rose colored Akoyas if you know where to look), their size varies between 3 and 10 mm. They are great both for casual and formal occasions and go well with a wide variety of clothes.

As for the cost, Akoya pearls prices can range between $25 and $1000, with some going even higher.

South Sea White Pearls

Similar to Akoya varieties, are grown in oysters. They are collected on the shores of Burma, Okinawa, Indonesia, and Australia. They are larger and shinier, but because they are extracted only when they exceed 9 mm in size, they tend to cost more.

Conch variety

The conch variety are not pearls in the traditional sense in terms of build and shape. This is because they are non-nacreal, and usually formed inside conch shells, hence their bright pink and peach shades, and intricate patterns.

As tempting as it might be to go for the most expensive pearls that you can afford, it is not entirely necessary to do so. One thing you have to remember is that, when matching clothes with pearls (more on that later) the shape and type of jewelry matters more than the purity and the cost of the stone itself.

Natural vs. Cultured Pearls

Another thing you will have to consider before buying pearls is the source. Cultured pearls, as the name suggests, are developed by specialized farmers who inject substances into the oysters in a controlled environment to speed up the production process.  Natural pearls, however, are grown (and harvested) in the wild. Naturally, due to the difficulty of finding and harvesting said natural pearls intact, they tend to be more expensive and rare.

However, this does not take away at all from the quality and beauty of cultured pearls. In terms of shape, size and build, there is virtually no discernable difference between the two. You can find cultured pearls for as little as $35 or, if you want to indulge yourself, there are cultured variants in the thousands of dollars. Whether or not you consider one superior over the other is up to you.

‘’Pearls are Always Appropriate’’ – Jackie Kennedy

Pearls are far from being outdated, they are iconic pieces of jewelry, as popular as diamonds. They have been making a big comeback as far as 2015, when the Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, America’s former First Lady Michelle Obama and Sarah Jessica Parker were seen accessorizing their outfits with pearls.

Like all things related to fashion and jewelry, their popularity comes in cycles – and designers, as well as manufacturers, are reinventing them for modern women. And the fact that pearl related pieces are amongst the top-selling jewelry items on Amazon stands as living proof of this statement. So, there is no reason to restrain yourself from wearing pearls out of a fear of looking like your grandmother – as Jackie Kennedy once said, ‘’pearls are always appropriate’’, and considering the fashion staple as she was (and still is to some degree), it is no wonder why pearls are so big right now.

In terms of jewelry type, the most common pearl piece people choose is the necklace. These can range in length, pearl size, and number of strands. In terms of strand options, the worlds’s your oyster (get it?). Princess length necklaces with graduated pearls are adequate for a classy, day to day look, while multi-strand necklaces with uniform pearls are good for an evening out in the city and formal occasions. Let us take a look at other necklace lengths to give you a better idea of what the market has to offer:

• Opera, falls just below the bust, and are best suited for theatre or opera concerts.
• Chockers sit at the base of the neck. Formal or business dinners.
• Matinee necklaces hang above the bust, which makes them perfect for summer dresses.
• Ropes are long strands of pearls that measure about 36 inches in length. They can be matched both with formal and casual clothes.

However, this does not mean you should limit yourself to wearing solely necklaces. The use of pearls in rings, earrings and bracelets is just as common, so the only question you will have to ask yourself is whether or not they fit your wardrobe and lifestyle. When wearing a necklace – other jewelry type combination, you should go for asymmetry. Earrings, for example, go very well with ropes, while bracelets are best matched with matinee or choker necklaces.

Pearls Need Love and Attention, Too

Due to the fact that pearls are essentially organic gemstones, they are quite delicate and require lots of care and attention. This fact alone might discourage some people from wearing pearls altogether, but most of the damages can be easily avoided by building your grooming routine around the pearls.

The two things you must pay the most attention to are perfumes and hairsprays, as they can affect the color and the quality of the pearls. Therefore, make sure to put your pearls on last, after splashing yourself with perfume, and removing them first, as soon as you get home.

As for maintaining the quality of the pearls, if you notice them getting dirty or dull, use a dry, soft cloth to gently rub them of dirt and things that should not be stuck to your precious jewelry. Use water only as a last resort, only if the above-mentioned method does not work.

To wash them, you will need a weak soap (baby shampoo works fine as well), and a gentle brush – the one you use for manicuring. Once you have cleaned the pearls, pat them dry with a soft cloth, making sure not to leave any excess water on the pearls.

To conclude this entry, the one thing you have to keep in mind is that the elegance of your attire is not dependent on whether or not the pearls are cultured, natural, Akoya or even their value. The only thing that matters is their condition, and the effort that you put into maintaining them. Due to their fragile nature, even the most expensive of pearls look bad when neglected.

Conclusion

Just like everyone got suddenly obsessed with 60’s fashion when Mad Men premiered back in 2007, pearls are making a big comeback, and by the looks of it, they are here to stay. Furthermore, famous designers like Miu Miu, Ellery and Gucci are contributing to their resurgence and mainstream impact by using pearls in their ads.

Whether you prefer one type over the other, natural as opposed to cultured, it does not matter – every pearl is special in the right hands.

Read more about Jewellery, Diamonds and Gemstones here: https://www.jewellerymonthly.com/category/jewellery-diamonds-and-gemstones/

Chiswick Auctions broke a house record this week for the top price achieved for a jewellery lot. The remarkable 6.51 carat Burmese ruby (Lot 192) sold for an impressive £147,600 (including premium*) in the 12th of September Jewellery auction.

In Sanskrit, the word for ruby is “ratnaraj” or ‘king of precious stones’ and that certainly proved to be the case.

The ring has royal provenance having been a gift from a member of an Asian royal family.

After six days of viewing, including at Chiswick Auctions’ new South Kensington branch, the Chiswick saleroom was a flurry of activity on the day with a large number of bidders in the room and a very busy telephone desk fielding bids from all over the world.

After fourteen telephone lines finished competing for the large ruby ring, the hammer fell at £120,000 to an anonymous buyer amongst a round of applause from the saleroom.

“The moment we saw the ring I knew that this was something of exceptional quality and importance. The vendor worked with us closely to market the ruby in a way which maximised appeal and resulted in widespread international exposure.” says Sarah Duncan, Head of Jewellery.

The 6.51 carat Burmese ruby and diamond cluster ring was accompanied by two reports, both confirming the origin of the stone from Burma and the fact that it had not been heat treated.

Competitive bidding was also seen on desirable signed lots with pieces by Cartier, Buccellati, Piaget and Van Cleef & Arpels all achieving strong results. A 1970’s tiger’s eye wristwatch by Piaget sold for £7,995 against a pre-sale auction estimate of £800-1200 and a highly sought-after ‘Magic Alhambra’ necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels achieved £12,915

Antique jewellery, which has long been a staple of the auction market, proved exceptionally strong for rare pieces. A 4.32 carat old brilliant-cut diamond ring achieved £14,760 and a Georgian garnet earring and pendant suite sold for £2,706.

“The market for good quality signed and antique jewellery is becoming increasingly competitive and
buyers are prepared to pay well for these rare items.” says Duncan.

The next specialist Jewellery auction will take place on the 21st of November. Entries are now invited. A dedicated Jewellery and Watches valuation day will be held at C.A.’s South Kensington branch. Date: Thursday, 28 September | Time: 10am – 4pm | Location: 127 Fulham Road, SW3 6RT

“April is the cruelest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain.”
― T.S. Eliot, The Waste Land

April Fun Facts

In keeping with the April theme I thought I’d share a few fun facts about April that you might not have known:

1. April birthstone is the Diamond and symbolises innocence
2. April Flowers are the Sweet pea and the Daisy
3. Aprils Zodiac signs are Aries and Taurus
4. April originally came from Aprilis, meaning ‘to open’.
5. According to the Oxford Dictionary an ‘April  gentleman’ once meant ‘a foolish man; specifically  a newly-married husband, considered as a fool.’
6. 30 days hath September, April June and November! – can you remember the rest?
7. The Cuckoo arrives in Mid April and is a sign that spring has come.
8. Is known for the proverb “April showers bring forth May flowers”
9. April 6, 1896 – After a break of 1500 years, the first Olympics of the modern era was held in Athens, Greece.
10. “April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.” – William Shakespeare

Spring Inspired Jewellery

So if you’re looking for jewellery that encompasses Diamonds, gemstones and flowers there’s some fantastic designs on offer, I’ve listed but a few of my favourites below:

Swarovski Cinderella Flower Ring – by Hugh Rice

Inspired by the Disney movie Cinderella, this magical rose gold-plated ring features a delicate flower motif. It sparkles in a feminine gradation of crystal colors and adds a touch of romance to any look

Delicate Crystal Flower Garden Adjustable Ring In Pink Gold

View here: http://www.luulla.com/product/350953/delicate-crystal-flower-garden-adjustable-ring-in-pink-gold

Silver Chickweed Ring

Celebrating the simple botanicals that we find underfoot each day, this simple ring from Philadelphia’s Peg & Awl is topped with a chickweed medallion. Each ring is hand-cast from recycled silver and arrives ready for gifting in a letter pressed seed packet

Flower Rose Lotus Diamond Engagement or Right Hand Ring

View here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/128347089/blooming-work-of-art-flower-rose-lotus?

Zircon including hyacinth or yellow zircon is a mineral belonging to the group of nesosilicates.

The crystal structure of zircon is tetragonal crystal system. The natural color of zircon varies between colorless, yellow-golden, red, brown, blue, and green.

Colorless samples that show gem quality are a popular substitute for diamonds and are also known as “Matura diamond”. The blue colored zircons are known as Blue zircon. Today we will also discuss about buying a guide of blue zircon stones, also the wholesale guide to understanding the quality of blue zircon!

The name derives from the Persian zargun, meaning golden-colored. This word is corrupted into “jargoon”, a term applied to light-colored zircons. The English word “zircon” is derived from “Zirkon,” which is the German adaptation of this word.

Zircon occurs as a common accessory mineral in igneous rocks, large zircon crystals are especially rare. Their average size in when found in granite rocks is about 0.1–0.3mm, but they can also grow to sizes of several centimetres.

In geological settings, the development of pink, red, and purple zircon occurs after millions of years, if the crystal has sufficient trace elements to produce color centers.

Blue Zircon in Jewellery

Zircons are especially unique due to how they grow when forming into a crystal. They have an attractive fire to them that works well when creating gemstones for jewellery. You can purchase these gemstones loose or crafted into jewellery both.

We recently spoke to Patricia Brady at Gemsncoins and asked her what she thought of the Blue Zircons they offer to buyers from all around the world.

“Wholesale Blue Zircons are rare due to the growth of the crystal, which grows in a twinning shape. Rather like two pyramids linked together at the base. In order to cut these beautiful shapes, the rough gems have to be a fine quality. These Cambodian Blue Zircons have the trademark double refractiveness of zircons, which is even seen on the product images we offer. Double refraction is when the light enters through the pavilion, hits the facets and splits into two rays. Then these rays of light bounce back hitting your eyes with double the sparkle of other gemstones, even diamonds. That’s the secret of these Blue Zircons. Their extra sparkle making them look like blue diamonds at a fraction of the cost, as a much more rarer gemstone than diamonds”

Wholesale Blue Zircon

Blue Zircon is always considered one of the most frequent sold zircon out of all the other colors. Infact, according to GIA, its 80% of all zircons sold!

These credible facts help us understand that Blue zircons is still an under valued stone because of its name “zircon” which reminds people of Cubic Zirconia. Stones like Tanzanite yield a much higher price than Blue zircons, just the marketing difference? Amazing features like mentioned above, Double refractory feature makes it the most amazing yet under valued mesmerising stone.

Wholesale Blue zircon suppliers on the internet are very limited, one of them is GemsNCoins. Retail sellers of Blue zircon are abundant in nature, especially the people who resell on eBay. They display a beautiful array of Blue zircon gemstones, away from the traditional old round shapes that are common. There are always advantages of buying stones from a wholesaler, they retailers margins are eaten up!

The 4 C’s of Blue Zircon – its quality factors

Blue Zircon Color

The color Blue zircon is one of the trickiest things to look out for when understanding the quality factors of Blue zircon. Blue zircon comes in a variety of different colors ranges from Pure Blue – Greenish blue – Yellowish-blue. Surely, the most important color is if you see a Pure blue, like a Swiss blue topaz color, but with some green in it. The latter is very common to be present, but the least amount of green signifies good color.

Blue zircon Carat Weight

Blue zircon is not found abundant in nature like Diamonds. They are rare and most commonly come from the only location, that is Cambodia. The carat weight becomes very important when understanding pricing factors and quality factors. The larger the zirconia stone, the more valuable it is, having the clarity of the stones equal (clean). It’s rare to find a Blue zircon gemstone above 5 carat.

Blue Zircon Clarity

Blue zircons usually are clean, but finding a large clean stone can become quite difficult. Small impurities can intensify, and lower the quality (doubling in natural stones can reflect the inclusion shadow too many times within the stone creating multiple illusions)

Blue Zircon Cut

Blue zircons are quite commonly cut shallow compared to deep. The reason is because of the rough formation and colour intensifying reasons.

A ring that may not in many eyes be considered beautiful but speaks volume and is certainly eye-catching.

In this gallery, I have featured some of the most eccentric, expressive ring designs you could imagine!

All of which are unique and although not necessarily for everyone may inspire your distinct personality, connecting with an individual’s creative side.

Bottle opener ring

Bottle opener ring

Bunny ring

Bunny ring

Key ring

Key ring

I love you, braillie ring

I love you, braillie ring

Engagement ring in a ring

Engagement ring in a ring

Image projector ring

image projector ring

Food sculpture ring

Food sculpture ring

Space invader ring

Space invader ring

Beer ring

Beer ring

Bullet ring

Bullet ring

Skeleton hand

Skeleton hand

Photographer ring

Photographer ring

Joker ring

Joker ring

Steam Punk Watch ring

Steam Punk Watch ring

You may also be interested to know what your birthstone colour is?

What’s your favourite? Please leave a comment and let us know.

Red Gemstones

The red gemstone is one of the rarest colours available. They have a beautiful fiery eye catching quality and look stunning when worn on special occasions.

Red symbolises confidence, courage, action and vitality. In China, red is the colour of joy and prosperity.

Red gemstones include:

• Andesine
• Garnet
• Ruby
• Spinel
• Tourmaline
• Zicron

Pink gemstones

The pink gemstone is one of the most favourable amongst the many colours to choose from. With the colour pink symbolising love and beauty, it brings a caring and self-worth feeling to its wearer.

Pink gemstones include:

• Kunzite
• Morganite
• Rose Quartz
• Rhodolite Garnet
• Spinel
• Tourmalin

Blue gemstones

The stunning blue gemstones have a fresh watery feel, reminding us of the sea or our beautiful clear blue sky’s.

Blue Symbolises truth, peace and youth. As blue has such a calming feeling the wearer can feel open to communication and give off helpful vibrations.

Blue gemstones Include:

• Aquamarine
• Apatite
• Agate
• Sapphire
• Tanzanite
• Topaz
• Zircon
• Spinel
• Lapis Lazuli
• Tourmaline
• Paraiba Tourmaline
• Rainbow moonstone
• Iolite
• Kyanite
• Fluorite

Green gemstones

The lushest green gemstone has that last forever look about it. Many of us will find a timeless green gemstone in the bottom of an old jewellery box.

Green symbolises well-being, nature and fertility. The wearer of green feels wealthy and will feel a need for change or expansion and welcome new ideas.

Green gemstones include:

• Emerald
• Tourmaline
• Tsavorite Garnet
• Demantoid garnet
• Garnet
• Chrome Diopside
• Peridot
• Jade
• Apatite
• Sapphire
• Adventurine
• Prehnit
• Agate
• Ruby – Zoisite

Yellow gemstones

The yellow gemstone is the most common of all the gems but is also in very high demand. Yellow is full of creative and intellectual energy.

Yellow gemstones include:

• Sapphire,
• Citrine,
• Fire Opal,
• Tourmaline,
• Sphene,
• Zircon,
• Orthoclase,
• Chrysoberyl,
• Beryl,
• Spodumene,
• Quartz,
• Agate,
• Diamond

Purple gemstones

Violet, lavender or purple gemstones are a very classic colour. The spectrum of hues in this stone look exotic and passionate.

Purple symbolises mystery, magic, royalty and good judgement. Purple defines the feeling of calm or to energise one’s self. The colour purple can also remove obstacles and bring balance back to your life.

Purple gemstones include:

• Amethyst
• Fluorite
• Spinel
• Tourmaline
• Sapphire
• Chalcedony

Orange gemstones

Orange sapphires are produced by heat treatment, but other orange gemstones can be found naturally. Orange symbolises endurance, vitality and is also the colour of power.

The colour orange also has healing properties. Orange can increase creativity and spice things up when you’re feeling low in stamina or energy.

Orange gemstones Include:

• Spessartite Garnet
• Zircon
• Fire Opal
• Sapphire
• Tourmaline
• Imperial Topaz
• Moonstone
• Star Moonstone
• Citrine
• Andesine

White Gemstones

The White Gemstone comes in many different forms. The purest forms of white diamonds are the most expensive of all the stones.

White symbolises cleanliness, purity and kindness. What also makes you feel clear-headed and can represent a new start in life?

White gemstones include:

• Diamond,
• Sapphire
• Zircon
• Moonstone
• Topaz
• Fire opal
• Jade, Quartz
• Agate

Brown gemstones

The luxury coffee colours for the brown gemstone have a real outdoor, beach feel to them. They also work well with many other colours. However, they are the most unpopular stone and hold a lower value.

This brown colour gemstone symbolises convention and order and give the wearer a wholesome natural feeling. They also promote a clear sense of thinking.

Brown gemstones include:

• Smoky Quartz
• Tigers eye
• Agate
• Tourmaline
• Imperial Topaz

Grey Gemstones

The grey gemstone is actually very rare. Its hard to find a stone that holds the correct contrasts and shades of the beautiful grey.

The colour grey symbolises maturity, security and a willingness to comply. Gray can also draw on healing energy and improve stability in relationships.

Grey gemstones include:

• Fluorite
• Tourmaline
• Spinel

BLACK Gemstones

The Black gemstone has seen a massive rise in consumer purchase recently. Especially in men’s jewellery. The solid tones of black look very trendy and desirable.

Black symbolises stability, earth and death. The wearer of black feels restful, inconspicuous or tends to be mysterious.

Black gemstones include:

• Diamond
• Tourmaline
• Onyx
• Agate
• Sapphire

Once the gemstones are cut and polished they can be used in jewellery such as necklaces, earnings, rings, broaches and other jewellery items. Most gemstones are made of hard minerals, but other soft minerals make up gemstones. Below is a list of different types of minerals used for many jewellery items.

Turquoise

Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminium. It is rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gem and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue. In recent times, turquoise, like most other opaque gems, has been devalued by the introduction of treatments, imitations, and synthetics onto the market.

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Hematite

Hematite is a mineral, coloured black to steel or silver-gray, brown to reddish brown, or red. It is mined as the main ore of iron. Varieties include kidney ore, martite (pseudomorphs after magnetite), iron rose and specularite (specular hematite). While the forms of hematite vary, they all have a rust-red streak. Hematite is harder than pure iron, but much more brittle. Maghemite is a hematite- and magnetite-related oxide mineral.

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Chrysocolla

Chrysocolla is a hydrated copper cyclosilicate mineral. The structure of the mineral has been questioned, as spectrographic studies suggest material identified as chrysocolla may be a mixture of the copper hydroxide spertiniite and chalcedony. The name comes from the Greek chrysos, “gold”, and kolla, “glue”, in allusion to the name of the material used to solder gold, and was first used by Theophrastus in 315 BCE.

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Tigers-eye

Tiger’s eye (also called Tigers eye or Tiger eye) is a chatoyant gemstone that is usually a metamorphic rock that is a golden to red-brown colour, with a silky luster. A member of the quartz group, it is a classic example of pseudomorphous replacement by silica of fibrous crocidolite (blue asbestos). An incompletely silicified blue variant is called Hawk’s eye.

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Quartz

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in the Earth’s continental crust, after feldspar. It is made up of a continuous framework of SiO4 silicon–oxygen tetrahedra, with each oxygen being shared between two tetrahedra, giving an overall formula SiO2.

There are many different varieties of quartz, several of which are semi-precious gemstones. Especially in Europe and the Middle East, varieties of quartz have been since antiquity the most commonly used minerals in the making of jewellery and hard-stone carvings.

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Tourmaline

Tourmaline (TUR-mə-leen) is a crystalline boron silicate mineral compounded with elements such as aluminium, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium, or potassium. Tourmaline is classified as a semi-precious stone and the gemstone comes in a wide variety of colours. The name comes from the Sinhalese word “Turmali” (තුරමලි) or “Thoramalli” (තෝරමල්ලි), which applied to different gemstones found in Sri Lanka.

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Pyrite

The mineral pyrite, or iron pyrite, also known as fool’s gold, is an iron sulfide. This mineral’s metallic luster and pale brass-yellow hue give it a superficial resemblance to gold, hence the well-known nickname of fool’s gold. The colour has also led to the nicknames brass, brazzle, and Brazil, primarily used to refer to pyrite found in coal.

In ancient Roman times, this name was applied to several types of stone that would create sparks when struck against steel; Pliny the Elder described one of them as being brassy, almost certainly a reference to what we now call pyrite. By Georgius Agricola’s time, the term had become a generic term for all of the sulfide minerals.

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Sugilite

Sugilite (also known as lavulite) is a relatively rare pink to purple cyclosilicate mineral. Sugilite crystallizes in the hexagonal system with prismatic crystals. The crystals are rarely found and the form is usually massive. Sugilite was first described in 1944 by the Japanese petrologist Ken-ichi Sugi (1901–1948) for an occurrence on Iwagi Islet, Japan, where it is found in an aegirine syenite intrusive stock. It is found in a similar environment at Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada. In the Wessels mine in Northern Cape Province of South Africa, sugilite is mined from a strata-bound manganese deposit. It is also reported from Liguria and Tuscany, Italy; New South Wales, Australia and Madhya Pradesh, India.

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Malachite

Malachite is a copper carbonate hydroxide mineral. This opaque, green banded mineral crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system, and most often forms botryoidal, fibrous, or stalagmitic masses, in fractures and spaces, deep underground, where the water table and hydrothermal fluids provide the means for chemical precipitation. Individual crystals are rare but do occur as slender to acicular prisms. Pseudomorphs after more tabular or blocky azurite crystals also occur.

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Rose Quartz

Rose quartz is a type of quartz which exhibits a pale pink to rose red hue. The colour is usually considered as due to trace amounts of titanium, iron, or manganese, in the massive material. Some rose quartz contains microscopic rutile needles which produces an asterism in transmitted light. Recent X-ray diffraction studies suggest that the colour is due to thin microscopic fibers of possibly dumortierite within the massive quartz.

Additionally, there is a rare type of pink quartz (also frequently called crystalline rose quartz) with colour that is thought to be caused by trace amounts of phosphate or aluminium. The color in crystals is apparently photosensitive and subject to fading. The first crystals were found in a pegmatite found near Rumford, Maine, USA, but most crystals on the market come from Minas Gerais, Brazil.

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Snowflake Obsidian

Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed as an extrusive igneous rock.

It is produced when felsic lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimum crystal growth. Obsidian is commonly found within the margins of rhyolitic lava flows known as obsidian flows, where the chemical composition (high silica content) induces a high viscosity and polymerization degree of the lava. The inhibition of atomic diffusion through this highly viscous and polymerized lava explains the lack of crystal growth. Obsidian is hard and brittle; it therefore fractures with very sharp edges, which were used in the past in cutting and piercing tools, and has been used experimentally as surgical scalpel blades.

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Ruby

A ruby is a pink to blood-red colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide). The red colour is caused mainly by the presence of the element chromium. Its name comes from ruber, Latin for red. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapphires. Ruby is considered one of the four precious stones, together with sapphire, emerald and diamond.

Prices of rubies are primarily determined by colour. The brightest and most valuable “red” called blood-red, commands a large premium over other rubies of similar quality. After colour follows clarity: similar to diamonds, a clear stone will command a premium, but a ruby without any needle-like rutile inclusions may indicate that the stone has been treated. Cut and carat (weight) are also an important factor in determining the price. Ruby is the traditional birthstone for July and is always lighter red or pink than garnet.

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Moss Agate

Moss agate (also called mocha stone) is a semi-precious gemstone formed from silicon dioxide. It is a form of chalcedony which includes minerals of a green colour embedded in the stone, forming filaments and other patterns suggestive of moss. The field is a clear or milky-white quartz, and the included minerals are mainly oxides of manganese or iron. It is not a true form of agate, as it lacks agate’s defining feature of concentric banding. Moss agate is of the white variety with green inclusions that resemble moss. It occurs in many locations. The colours are formed due to trace amounts of metal present as an impurity, such as chrome or iron. The metals can make different colours depending on their valence (oxidation state).

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Jasper

Jasper, an aggregate of microquartz and/or chalcedony and other mineral phases, is an opaque, impure variety of silica, usually red, yellow, brown or green in colour; and rarely blue. The common red colour is due to iron inclusions. The mineral aggregate breaks with a smooth surface and is used for ornamentation or as a gemstone. It can be highly polished and is used for vases, seals, and snuff boxes. Along with Heliotrope (bloodstone), jasper (green with red spots) is one of the traditional birthstones for March. Jaspilite is a banded iron formation rock that often has distinctive bands of jasper.

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Amethyst

Amethyst is a violet variety of quartz often used in jewellery. The name comes from the Ancient Greek ἀ a- (“not”) and μέθυστος méthystos (“intoxicated”), a reference to the belief that the stone protected its owner from drunkenness. The ancient Greeks wore amethyst and made drinking vessels decorated with it in the belief that it would prevent intoxication. It is one of several forms of quartz. Amethyst is a semiprecious stone and is the traditional birthstone for February.

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Lace Agate

Agate /ˈæɡət/ is a cryptocrystalline variety of silica, chiefly chalcedony, characterised by its fineness of grain and brightness of colour. Although agates may be found in various kinds of rock, they are classically associated with volcanic rocks and can be common in certain metamorphic rocks. The stone was given its name by Theophrastus, a Greek philosopher and naturalist, who discovered the stone along the shore line of the river Achates (Greek: Ἀχάτης) sometime between the 4th and 3rd centuries BC. Colourful agates and other chalcedonies were obtained over 3,000 years ago from the Achates River, now called Dirillo, in Sicily.

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Blue Lapis Lazuli

Lapis lazuli /ˈlæpɪs ləˈzuːliː/ or /-ˈlæʒuːlaɪ/, or lapis for short, is a deep blue semi-precious stone that has been prized since antiquity for its intense colour.

Lapis lazuli was being mined in the Sar-i Sang mines and in other mines in the Badakhshan province in northeast Afghanistan as early as the 7th millennium BC, Lapis beads have been found at neolithic burials in Mehrgarh, the Caucasus, and even as far from Afghanistan as Mauritania. It was used for the eyebrows on the funeral mask of King Tutankhamun (1341–1323 BC).

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Some of the most desired and precious stones include the Sapphire, Amber, Ruby and Emerald gemstones.

Rare gemstones, include those which occur so infrequently in gem quality that they are scarcely known except to connoisseurs, these include Andalusite, Axinite, Cassiterite, Clinohumite and Red beryl.

Gem prices can fluctuate very often within the jewellery industry. In general per carat prices of larger stones are higher than those of smaller stones, certain sizes of stone can affect prices.

The breastplate of Aaron had twelve stones signifying the twelve tribes of Israel, and the first century Jewish historian proclaimed a connection between them and the twelve signs of the zodiac. People would rotate which stone they wore in order to coordinate with the signs.

The idea of wearing a single birthstone throughout the year is only a couple of centuries old, beginning in 18th century via Poland. The modern list of stones and their assigned months was established in 1912 by the National Association of Jewellers.

So here we have it, a much demanding list of the most commonly recognised Birthstones.

Birthstone Guide

January birthstone: Garnet

Varying in a wide range of colours, the most important sources of garnets are Africa, Sri Lanka, and India. The Garnet symbolizes eternal friendship and trust.

February birthstone: Amethyst

The Amethyst is said to keep the person wearing it quick witted and clear headed. Found throughout the globe, the gem is a beautiful purple quartz. Russia traditionally produced the finest amethysts, but Brazil is the main supplier today.

March birthstone: Aquamarine

This light blue-green gemstone was said to guarantee safe voyages. In modern times it is believed to cool the temper and keep one level headed of the game.

April birthstone: Diamond

The diamond is often considered the gift of choice for a loved one. Although they are usually clear, there are rare stones that have a natural hue. This is because of the popularity of the different diamond colours starting to rise. Manufacturers have begun artificially introducing them.

May birthstone: Emerald

This green gem was mined as long ago as 330 B.C. It symbolizes rebirth, and is believed to give the wearer foresight and good fortune. Emeralds of high quality are rare and considerably expensive.

June birthstone: Pearl

The Captains Pearl is unique in that it is produced by a living sea creature and requires no faceting or polishing. In order to achieve more perfect shapes, culturing pearls has become a common practice.

July birthstone: Ruby

Rubies are harder than any natural gemstone, with the exception of diamonds of course. They are said to grant health, wisdom, wealth, and success in love. When purchasing a ruby, the colour is the most important quality in determining value.

August birthstone: Peridot

The Peridot forms inside the earth and is brought to the surface by volcanoes. It is said to bring the wearer power, influence, and wonderful moments in life.

September birthstone: Sapphire

The most prized sapphires are usually a medium to medium dark blue. Traditionally, Sapphires are believed to guard loved ones from harm and the envious. They are used to symbolize heaven or heavenly blessings.

October birthstone: Opal

The colour of the Opal ranges from milky white to black with flashes of yellow, red, orange, green, and blue. Opals gain their radiance both from their colours and their surroundings.

November birthstone: Topaz

In antiquity, all yellow gems were called topaz, but the gem is a separate material from either Citrine quartz or smoky quartz, both of which are commonly misnamed. The most valued topaz colour is known as the Imperial topaz, which is a shade of orange with undertones of pink.

December birthstone: Turquoise

One of the oldest recognized gemstones, Turquoise varies from greenish blues through to the same shade of blue as a robin’s egg. Turquoise varies in transparency from translucent to opaque, as well.

Let us know what your birthstone is. Does it match your favourite colour?  Comment below and let us know

You may also be interested in Gem stone colours.

We set out in 2010 to offer an inexpensive alternative to the then huge charm jewellery boom. Collecting a vast array of charms and component parts, Jem’s Gem Box found clients were delighted with the chance to own the look without having to spend hundreds.

Within a few months, the desire to “create from the ground upwards” infiltrated and we soon began crafting handmade gemstone jewellery. Over the following 4 years, we have primarily self taught in a wide range of media, including wire, chain and scale maille, macramé, traditional silversmithing, seed beading and classic bead-stringing.

Jem’s Gem Box is constantly making brand new design “boutique unique” jewellery, with precious genuine gemstones, alongside a small but blossoming range of home decor items and fashion jewellery. We are happiest when taking a beautiful nature-given gemstone and making it accessible; something that can be admired, held close, worn every day. One of our driving passions is that we love to innovate, rather than replicate; we all have to learn an art, but isn’t it a thing of beauty to take that and truly make it your own?

Right now, we’re developing our wirework pendants into a distinctive Jem’s Gem Box style, with a wide variety of gemstones, wire combinations and price points. Each piece will be guaranteed unique. Prices start at just £20.

We love a challenge, too, and some of our most “challenging” pieces are client bespoke commissions; either with very little input, a budgetary requirement or some unusual design ideas, some of our more atypical work has been created via special request.

Whether bespoke or off-the-peg; unless otherwise requested, each item of jewellery is one-of-a-kind and our tag-line has become “Why buy mass produced low-quality poorly constructed fashion wear that 20,000 other people own, when you can wear a piece that nobody else will ever own for a very similar price.

Credits with thanks:
http://www.jemsgembox.co.uk/

Their beauty and popularity is as strong as ever but we’re happy to give you a full run-down of the facts behind this attractive purple gem.

Amethyst Shape and Cut

An amethyst must be carefully cut to give the gemstone a complete and even tone. Otherwise the violet colour that we all love within the gem can be uneven or not present enough to allow for a deep and powerful shade of colour. Amethysts are also transparent, so the setting is always important to consider.

These gems are often cut into the traditional shapes and with standard cutting styles, such as ovals, pear shapes and rounds. But amethysts are also a popular choice for more daring and “freeform” shapes, such as crescent moons, fans and pentagons. They can also be used to create artistic cuts such as concave faceting (where flat facets have a concave shape). These “fantasy” cuts take advantage of refracted light to product distinctive and unique gemstones.

Amethyst Rarity

There was a time when amethyst were considered as highly prized as rubies, sapphires and other precious gems. So what bumped them down to semi-precious? Huge deposits of amethyst geodes were discovered in Brazil during the 19th century, which changed supply and demand. This is why amethysts were used so commonly in royal jewellery (you’ll even find a few in the British Crown) up until recently because we’re living in a golden age of affordable amethyst jewellery!

Large, central amethysts are popular in jewellery because the price per carat of an amethyst does not rise dramatically with larger sizes as you find with other gems. This makes them more accessible to purchasers, whilst still giving the impression of opulence and grandness. The image to the left shows a 19.20ct gem for less than £300.

It is inarguable that, although their market value has decreased, there is still a great deal of mystique surrounding amethysts and their royal hue.

Amethyst Colours and Tones

Amethysts are one of the few vibrantly purple gemstones and you can get stones in a range of shades. As you might have guessed, you can find an amethyst that is closer to the blue tint or one that leans towards a deeper red, causing their shades to vary from violet to light purple. In America pink is considered not an acceptable colour for amethyst, though it is widely accepted elsewhere around the world. It is the colour that makes this gem so popular for setting in jewellery, extending back to the Romans (who we understand had a bit of a thing for purple….).

The most desirable potential shade for an amethyst is a strong purple to red tone. A deep purple to violet colour is typically known as “Deep Siberian” due to their discovery in Siberia. Famously, Catherine the Great marshalled miners to seek out potential deposits of the gem, such was her desire for more. Darker violet and blue toned gemstones can appear black under poor lighting conditions so lighter colours are preferred to ensure that the signature colour is strong and clear. Colour zoning (patches of darker to lighter colour) will also decrease the value of the gem, thus the jewellery it’s a part of.

Throughout most of history it was not known what made amethysts the vibrant shade of purple that has made them such a popular choice for jewellery. Today we know that it due to iron being present where the gemstone is mined, so you’ve learned something today! Amethysts lose their purple colour when heated, turning yellow. This change can also occur in sunlight so keep your amethyst jewellery protected during summer seasons.

Alternative Uses for amethyst

If you’re not interested in getting an amethyst set in jewellery then – luckily enough – history has given us many alternative uses for the gem. The Greeks were convinced that drinking from an amethyst chalice would stop you from getting drunk (we don’t advise you to test that theory) and gemstone therapy states that the amethyst is key to purity (including pure thoughts). European soldiers also believed at an amethyst amulet would protect them from harm on the battlefield (again, don’t test that please!)

This month is particularly dear to me as it is my birthday month, and with that in mind, I am excited to share with you some fantastic September sparkles featuring my gorgeous birthstone, the Sapphire.

For this article I was keen to showcase a designer whose style and originality I really admired. So, without further ado, take some time to gorge your eyes on these beautiful Sapphire pieces by Annoushka Ducas.

For those that are not familiar with Annoushka’s extremely glamorous yet amazingly feminine jewellery, or the woman herself, allow me to provide you with a bit of background. Annoushka Ducas MBE is one of the UK’s leading fine jewellery designers who has, since 2009, founded and run her own jewellery company ‘Annoushka’.

Annoushka has a wide array of jewellery that incorporates sapphires, however in celebration of this month’s stone I have selected four beautiful pieces to feature here.

Sapphire earrings

These contemporary gold and sapphire stud earrings have been crafted using yellow gold and white sapphire. As we move into the cooler seasons I particularly love the artistic nod towards the winter snowflake whilst the yellow gold still adds a hint of summer. These earrings retail at £440.

Sapphire rings

Stacking rings are so popular right now and this collection of gorgeous yellow and white gold rings combine to create the perfect blend of colour and texture. Crafted in 18ct white gold, diamond and sapphire they retail for £2,435.

Sapphire Drop Earrings

This dazzling set of earrings are part of Annoushka’s exclusive One of a Kind collection. The set features 32.82ct of hand carved sapphires expertly showcased in 18ct rose gold. Surrounded by 2.20ct brown diamonds and suspended from 5.16ct intense blue Kyanite, this pair of earrings is a real statement. “No matter if it’s with a pair of jeans or a cocktail dress, I hope every piece in this special collection surprises, delights and inspires, each time they are worn.” Says Annoushka. The earrings retail at £10,500 which, although perhaps more than the average budget, I would say is completely justified based on the materials and sheer craftsmanship that has gone into creating these beauties!

Sapphire Bangle

I love a beautiful bracelet or bangle as I believe that the right wrist wear can really set off an outfit. This stunning bangle is part of Annoushka’s guest designer Arpita Navlakha’s collection. Created in 18ct white gold, and combining 2.40ct diamond and 56.53ct sapphire, Arpita Navlakha’s has successfully fused classic design with a modern touch. In my opinion this bangle would be just as striking with a pair of jeans as with an evening dress, and if anyone fancies buying me an early birthday present, please feel free! The bangle retails for £16,500.

That being said, jewellery in and of itself does carry with it meaning, in particular when dealing with gemstones. Giving a piece of jewellery as a gift always shows affection for the recipient, but adding the correct gemstone displays much more thought.

By giving a gift with an inherent message that reinforces the expected message of the occasion, gifts become treasures. Listed below are several of the more well-known gemstones and their associated meanings.

The meaning of diamond

The diamond is usually considered the pinnacle of gemstones, and is used often in engagement rings.

Because of the brilliance of the stone and its ability to reflect light, the diamond represents a speck of sunlight.

Taking this celestial light and placing on the hand of a loved one displays the lengths to which the giver is willing to go for the recipient.

Sapphire meaning

The sapphire is commonly associated with royalty. In past times it was believed to support the earth and cause the blue hue of the sky.

In times both past and present, the sapphire has been chosen by many world leaders because of its symbolic meaning.

Ruby meaning

The ruby is often considered the most powerful of gemstones. It symbolises power and leadership, along with the potential to become a great leader. In addition, because of its red color, it is commonly used to symbolise love or passion.

Emerald meaning

Emeralds have been seen by many cultures as the embodiment of nature, life, and beauty. A quality emerald can be more expensive per carat than a diamond, but can easily crack due to a high number of inclusions found in the stone. The value, yet fragility of the stone makes it a perfect symbol of life and beauty.

Pearl meaning

The pearl has long been associated with both luck and wisdom. Wearing pearls is said to bring luck both in love and in financial dealings. In addition, many depictions of ancient dragons, seen as the wisest of creatures, show them either wearing or surrounded by pearls. The combination of wisdom and luck makes the pearl an excellent choice for any occasion.

If the occasion for the gift is a birthday, a sapphire might be a way to convey the appreciation for the person’s birth and to remind them of their heritage.

If the gift is for a graduation, a string of pearls speaks volumes as to the giver’s expectations and hopes for the recipient’s future life.

And of course, one can never go wrong when giving a diamond or ruby as a Valentine’s Day, wedding, or anniversary gift to show deep and abiding love.

Being careful in selecting a gemstone that matches the intended message truly displays a high level of appreciation for the person. By so doing, the gift instantly receives sentimental value to compound its monetary worth.