Amethyst
- + Calm
- + Clarity
- + Protection
Known as the stone of inner peace. Violet quartz, once reserved for royalty.
What is amethyst?
A violet variety of quartz. Its colour comes from iron and natural irradiation in the earth. Much amethyst is gently heated to even out its colour.
What does Amethyst stand for?
Inner peace. Traditionally also worn for clarity and for protection.
When should I wear Amethyst?
When your head is full and you want a quiet anchor. Birthstone of February.
How do I care for Amethyst?
Hardness 7. Avoid long direct sunlight, which can fade the violet.
Aquamarine
- + Serenity
- + Courage
- + Clarity
Known as the stone of serenity. Sea-blue, and traditionally carried by sailors.
What is aquamarine?
A blue variety of beryl, coloured by traces of iron. Nearly all aquamarine is heat-treated to bring out a pure blue, which is permanent and standard in the trade.
What does Aquamarine stand for?
Serenity. Long carried for calm courage and for clear speech.
When should I wear Aquamarine?
When you want to stay calm and clear in a moment that asks a lot of you. Birthstone of March.
How do I care for Aquamarine?
Hardness 7.5 to 8. Durable; clean with warm water and a soft brush.
Black Onyx
- + Grounding
- + Strength
- + Self-control
Known as the stone of grounding. Solid, quiet black.
What is black onyx?
A chalcedony, which is a microcrystalline quartz. Onyx is naturally banded, and the solid black used in jewellery is permanently colour-treated. That is standard for this stone everywhere.
What does Black Onyx stand for?
Grounding. Also worn for strength and self-control.
Is Black Onyx a December birthstone?
Yes. Onyx is December's stone in the mystical birthstone list, the one we follow here.
How do I care for Black Onyx?
Hardness 6.5 to 7. Clean with a soft dry cloth.
Blue Sapphire
Known as the stone of wisdom. Deep blue, a classic for promises.
What is blue sapphire?
The blue variety of corundum. Its colour comes from iron and titanium sitting side by side in the crystal. Most blue sapphire is heat-treated, which is permanent and standard in the trade.
What does Blue Sapphire stand for?
Wisdom. Long worn for truth and for loyalty.
When should I wear Blue Sapphire?
When you want to stay true to yourself or someone else. Birthstone of September.
How do I care for Blue Sapphire?
Hardness 9. Very durable; clean with warm water and a soft brush.
Citrine
- + Joy
- + Abundance
- + Confidence
Known as the stone of joy. Golden like late summer light.
What is citrine?
A yellow to golden variety of quartz, coloured by traces of iron. Most citrine on the market is heat-treated amethyst or smoky quartz, as natural citrine is rare.
What does Citrine stand for?
Joy. Long carried as a merchant's stone for abundance, and worn for confidence.
When should I wear Citrine?
When you want a little more lightness and confidence. Birthstone of November.
How do I care for Citrine?
Hardness 7. Avoid long direct sunlight.
Garnet
- + Commitment
- + Energy
- + Passion
Known as the stone of commitment. Deep red, traditionally carried as a token of loyalty.
What is garnet?
A family of silicate minerals; the deep red almandine and pyrope are the classics. Garnet is one of the few gems that is almost never treated.
What does Garnet stand for?
Commitment. Also worn for energy and for passion.
When should I wear Garnet?
When you want to go after what matters to you. Birthstone of January.
How do I care for Garnet?
Hardness 6.5 to 7.5. Suitable for daily wear; clean with a soft dry cloth.
Green Onyx
Known as a stone of balance. Deep green with a soft, waxy shine.
What is green onyx?
A chalcedony, which is a microcrystalline quartz. The green is permanently colour-treated, as it is for almost all green onyx on the market.
What does Green Onyx stand for?
Balance. Also worn for calm and for steady growth.
Is Green Onyx a May birthstone?
Yes. The oldest birthstone lists give May to agate and chalcedony, and green onyx is a chalcedony, so it sits right in that family.
How do I care for Green Onyx?
Hardness 6.5 to 7. Avoid harsh chemicals and clean with a soft dry cloth.
Moonstone
- + Intuition
- + Calm
- + New beginnings
Known as the stone of intuition. Its soft, floating sheen has long been linked to the moon and its cycles.
What is moonstone?
A feldspar with adularescence: light scatters between thin internal layers and creates that moving glow. True moonstone shows a blue to white sheen. Stones sold as rainbow moonstone are a white labradorite, which flashes in several colours.
What does Moonstone stand for?
Intuition. Traditionally also worn for calm and for new beginnings.
When should I wear Moonstone?
When you are at a crossroads, starting something new, or simply want to trust your own feeling a little more.
How do I care for Moonstone?
Hardness 6 to 6.5. Take it off for sports, cleaning and swimming. Wipe with a soft dry cloth.
Opal
- + Creativity
- + Inspiration
- + Hope
Known as the stone of creativity. Every opal shows its own play of colour, so no two look alike.
What is opal?
Precious opal is hydrated silica: tiny silica spheres stacked in a regular grid that splits light into the shifting colours you see. Common opal has no play of colour.
What does Opal stand for?
Creativity. Long worn for inspiration as well, and as a stone of hope.
When should I wear Opal?
When you want lightness, a fresh perspective, or a little colour in a grey season. Birthstone of October.
How do I care for Opal?
Hardness 5.5 to 6.5. Opal contains water: keep it away from heat, perfume and harsh chemicals.
Peridot
- + Renewal
- + Abundance
- + Openness
Known as the stone of the sun. Olive green with a warm glow.
What is peridot?
Gem-quality olivine. It occurs only in green, running from yellow-green to olive.
What does Peridot stand for?
Renewal. Long linked to abundance, and worn to stay open.
When should I wear Peridot?
When you want to feel light and open. Birthstone of August.
How do I care for Peridot?
Hardness 6.5 to 7. Avoid knocks and sudden temperature changes.
Rose Quartz
- + Self-love
- + Compassion
- + Kindness
Known as the stone of love. A soft, milky pink that is never quite the same twice.
What is rose quartz?
A pink variety of quartz. Its colour comes from microscopic fibrous inclusions spread through the stone.
What does Rose Quartz stand for?
Self-love. The classic stone of love in every form, beginning with the love you give yourself.
When should I wear Rose Quartz?
When you want to be a little kinder to yourself, or as a gift for someone you love.
How do I care for Rose Quartz?
Hardness 7. Durable for daily wear; avoid long direct sunlight, which can fade the colour.
Ruby
- + Passion
- + Love
- + Vitality
Known as the stone of passion. A warm red that has stood for love and vitality for centuries.
What is ruby?
The red variety of corundum, one of the hardest minerals on earth. Its colour comes from chromium. Nearly all ruby is heat-treated to even out its colour, which is permanent and standard in the trade.
What does Ruby stand for?
Passion. Long worn for love and for vitality.
When should I wear Ruby?
When you want to feel bold and warm, or to mark a moment of love. Birthstone of July.
How do I care for Ruby?
Hardness 9. Very durable; clean with warm water and a soft brush.
White Topaz
Known as a stone of clarity. Clear and bright, with a glassy sparkle.
What is white topaz?
A colourless variety of topaz, an aluminium fluorosilicate.
What does White Topaz stand for?
Clarity. Also worn for truth and for a clear head.
Is White Topaz an April birthstone?
Yes. White topaz sits on the April birthstone lists beside diamond, and it is the one most people actually wear. Topaz itself is also the birthstone of November.
How do I care for White Topaz?
Hardness 8, but topaz has one direction of perfect cleavage, so avoid hard knocks.
