Welcome back to our blog. Today’s topic is…Gemstones! We could talk for days about gemstones (literally, there’s decades of trivia and new information discovered every year!) but don’t fret, we have created an overview to give you a quick introduction.
Gem Bascis
Often when people think of gemstones, the big four come to mind. Diamond, sapphire, emerald and ruby. These A-list gemstones are often considered the go-to when choosing luxury jewellery due to their historic beauty or resilience for everyday wear. However, only diamond, sapphire and ruby are the usual recommended stones for engagement rings. This is largely due to the Moh’s scale. Each gemstone has been tested on the Moh’s scale to measure its hardness in relation to its resistance to scratching. This helps us identify the durability and compatibility for jewellery. How your jewellery should be cared for and maintained (as discussed in our first blog Jewellery Care and Maintenance) is also an important factor.
Gem Families
Some of the basic gemstone families you might have heard of include beryl, corundum, opal and quartz. Within these groups, there can be multiple varieties, each more unique than the last. For example, sapphire and ruby come from the same mineral Corundum. This explains why they share a rating of 9 on the Moh’s scale. While they share many similarities, the pictures of the uncut gems below show just how differently corundum can form over the years.
Gemstones can be found across the world, each with their own geological conditions and mineral compounds unique to the environment they are found in. This means that while the same gemstone can be found in different locations across the globe, their fingerprint (or gem-print) makes them unique.
Engagement Gemstones
As discussed previously, diamond, ruby and sapphires are JFJ’s recommendation for an engagement ring you want to wear everyday (we promise this is not favouritism). The combination of the gemstones’ durability and elegance creates the perfect engagement ring. However, it is entirely your choice which stone you choose for your ring. With the right jewellery care and maintenance, softer gemstones can be worn. Understanding the unique characteristics of your chosen stone is the key to maintaining it. Before purchasing a softer gemstone for an engagement ring, is it highly recommended that you book a consultation with one of our knowledgeable staff to ensure the stone is compatible with your needs and lifestyle.
Birthstones
As most people know, each month has been assigned a gemstone, with some months even having additional stones as an alternative option. This is because trends change and certain gemstones, such as turquoise or citrine fall out of popularity. Interestingly, the introduction of the official birthstones list only began in 1912 by the National Association of Jewellers. According to some people’s beliefs, wearing your birthstone can bring you good fortune, ward off negative energy and even provide protection (sounds like a bargain). Human’s connection to gemstones pre-dates the existence of gemmology. Supposedly, the Romans believed that diamonds were splinters of falling stars, while the ancient Greeks considered them to be the tears of the gods (Miller, 2017).
Gemstones (in our opinion) are one of nature’s most beautiful resources and are perfect for those wanting a colourful alternative to the classic diamond.