Amazonite is a green coloured gem that customarily brings truth, sincerity and honour. It is thought to bestow clarity on those who wear it and is often used as an aid to clairvoyancy as it is believed to have the ability to see the past present and future.

Amethyst is the most well-known and precious form of Quartz. Greek legend acquaints the stone with Bacchus the god of wine. He is said to have created its uniquely beautiful, purple colour by pouring wine over white crystal. Thus it was believed, in ancient times, that anyone wearing amethyst could not become intoxicated!

While usually a shade of purple, Amethyst changes colour in the heat and can occur in red and yellow shades. This stone can be found in a number of countries but is most commonly mined in Brazil, Canada, Sri Lanka and India. It is the birthstone of February; symbolising luck, wit and health and is thought to be a spiritual stone, a healer of the physical, mental and spiritual. It is highly cherished for its ability to transform negative energy into positive bringing insight to all areas of life.

One of the few organic gems in the natural world is Amber. It is the solidified, fossilized sap from ancient pine trees. The most commonly found colours of Amber are orange, yellow and brown. It often contains bubbles which can cause the stone to be less translucent and, due to the way in which it is formed, it can contain small plants or animals. It is mainly located along the Samland Coast near Kaliningrad, Russia in the Baltic Sea. One test for real amber is to see if it floats in salt water.

Amber has been used for centuries in all types of adornments. It is traditionally said to bring love, purification and wisdom. Having come from ancient pine trees it is believed that amber has retained their characteristic strength and wisdom. It calms all those who wear it.

Aquamarine is a Blue-green stone that belongs to the Beryl family. Aquamarine derives its name from the Latin for water and sea. The ancient Greeks thought it a symbol and the spirit of the sea. Thus it is believed to pass on the sea’s characteristics such as being cleansing and soothing. Serenity and peace are given to those who wear Aquamarine. It is the birthstone for the month of March bringing happiness and understanding and is traditionally given on your 18th Anniversary.

Aventurine is a spring green coloured stone that is made up of quartz and small mica crystals. Darker shades of Aventurine are considered more valuable than the lighter shades. Its similarity to Jade is due not only to its colour but also the fact that it is regularly used in carvings. Talismans have been made from this stone and are commonly associated with money and luck.

Chalcedony is translucent and comes in serenely beautiful shades of white, blue or green. It is said to enhance your vitality, stamina and endurance. It is extremely durable and takes a good polish.

Chrysoprase is the most valuable form of Chalcedony. It is translucent and a beautiful apple green which can often be mistaken for Jade. It is extremely rare. The most early Chrysoprase was sourced in Bohemia. Nowadays it is mainly found in Queensland, Australia.

Citrine comes in very distinctive shades of yellow, it is the yellow form of Amethyst. As a result of its colour it is often mistakenly identified as Topaz. The name comes from the French citron meaning lemon. Greeks and Romans used citrine as a protection against disease. It was thought to aid digestion and cleanse the body of toxins.

Fluorite is usually purple, blue, green, yellow or white and sometimes is a combination of any of these colours. Its name is so because it is highly fluorescent under ultraviolet light. It is a very popular gemstone due to its variation of colours. It is found in Europe, the USA and Canada.

Known for their dramatic beauty and lustrous sheen, Pearls have been cherished throughout the ages. Always a symbol of purity and wealth, no other gem has retained such a level of value and desirability. They have been popular in many countries for centuries. They were worn to gain favour from Isis during Roman times. Asian folklore describes how when dragons fought among the clouds pearls would drop down from the sky.

In natural Pearls a grain of sand or some irritating impurity, lodges in the mantle of a mollusc (a saltwater oyster or freshwater mussel). To protect itself the sea creature secretes layers around the grain of sand. Eventually the irritant forms into a pearl. Freshwater Pearls are fished from European Rivers and the US.

Over the years, Pearls have been associated with peace by many cultures. The Pearl is also thought to enhance honesty and integrity and help us to focus on life’s simple things. It is June’s birthstone representing peace, nobility and beauty.

Pearls are softer than other gems and should be handled with care. Wipe them with a soft cloth after they are worn as makeup, hairsprays and perfumes can spot their surfaces. Use mild soapy water to clean pearls; do not use cleaning solvents or put them in an ultrasound cleaner.

Garnet comes in a variety of colours from deep red to emerald green. Its name is originated from the Latin word granatum meaning pomegranate referring to the colour of the stone.

Garnet has been cherished for many years. It was once thought to cure fever, encourage good health and give protection while travelling.

Haematite is Iron Oxide. Its name is derived from the Greek aima which means blood this refers to the blood red colour of haematite in powdered form. Since Ancient times it has been used as a decorative stone and its black, metallic lustre led it to mistakenly be called the Black Diamond. It was used to treat insanity and reduce inflammation. Engraved Hematite seals have been found in the ruins of ancient Babylon.

Iolite is sometimes called water sapphire. Its name is derived from the Greek ios violet and ithos stone. It is found in the form of water worn pebbles in gem gravel beds. It is found in shade of blue, grey and violet and is mostly found in Burma and Sri Lanka.

Iolite is said to encourage inner strength and self-confidence.

Jade has been extremely significant culturally and traditionally for thousands of years. In prehistoric times it was used as a tool and has in the past been referred to as ‘ax-stone’. The Orient, in particular, has held this gem in high esteem for most of its recorded history and China, more than any other country treasures it. In China it has and is used for all manner of ornamental and important things, for example, currency, statues, marriage bowl, art and jewellery. It come in various shades of rich green and is found in Burma, Tibet, Guatemala, China and Japan.

There are a large number of minerals that belong to the Quartz family. The name Quartz comes from the Slavic word Kwardy which means hard. All Quartz minerals are extremely hard and have been found to stimulate an electrical charge when they are exposed to pressure. Some kinds of Quartz, such as rock crystal, are almost transparent- ‘The Roman scholar Pliny thought clear quartz was ice frozen too hard to melt!’ Others are coloured by different minerals; for example, Iron gives Amethyst its purple colour.

The Assyrians and Romans were among the first to use rose quartz. It was and is still thought to enhance all forms of love: caring, platonic, romantic and mother love. This gentle yet powerful stone opens the hearts of those who wear it. Rose Quartz emanates nurturance and also helps to attract positive, tender love into the wearer’s life. Furthermore it promotes peace, happiness and fidelity.

Its colour can vary from a pale milky-pink stone to a deep rose pink which further enhances its attachment to love and femininity.

It is mostly found in Madagascar, Brazil and the USA.

Ruby is one of the world’s most precious gemstones. Rubies are a rich red colour. Their name is derived from the Latin word for red, rubeus. The highest quality rubies can be found in Mogok, Burma. Rubies have been mined for centuries and have had significant influence on many cultures.

They are believed to be very powerful. It’s been said that owning a ruby will ensure a happy and healthy life. Its red colour has led to the stone being associated with fire and these fiery powers are said to be more intense during the full moon. The Hindus thought it was a stone containing indistinguishable fire that could boil water it passed through. The Greeks thought it could melt wax. It was believed in India that if you offered rubies to the god you would be reincarnated as a powerful emperor. The Burmese believed it made you invulnerable but only if it was embedded within the skin.

It is now the birthstone of the month of July and signifies love, enthusiasm and strength to those born in that month. It is also given customarily on a 40th Anniversary.

Rutilated Quartz gems are Quartz crystals which have been infused with bright metallic to reddish-brown needlelike crystals. Made into beads for adornment it creates an enthralling, unusual pattern that is individual to each separate bead.