Gemstones

Diamonds formed deep in the earth over a billion years ago, born with purity and durability. A diamond is made of one single element: carbon. It has a colourless nature yet is the hardest gem to scratch, making it a symbol of love and eternity.

Pearls have always exerted a powerful allure. Worn by royalty, legendary beauties and style icons. This gorgeous June birthstone originates from oceans, lakes and rivers worldwide. Both natural and modern cultured pearls—occur in a wide variety of colours. The origin of pearls fascinated our forebears. Ancients from the Middle East believed that pearls were teardrops fallen from heaven. The Chinese fancied that the June birthstone came from the brain of a dragon. Christopher Columbus and his contemporaries thought that molluscs formed pearls from dew drops.

Beyond ruby and blue sapphire, fancy sapphire varieties share their hues with lotus blossoms, sunflowers, carnations, lavender, and more. Some might exhibit colour change or asterism.

Zircon is a colourful gem with high refraction and fire; it has many beautiful appearances. There are earth tones, cinnamon, sherry, yellow, orange, red and the famous zircon blue colour.

Emerald is the bluish-green to green variety of beryl, the most valued variety of this species. Pliny the Elder described emerald in his Natural History, published in the first century AD: “…nothing greens greener” was his verdict. Cherishing to Spanish conquistadors, Inca kings, Moguls, and pharaohs, legends endowed the wearer with the ability to foresee the future, reveal the truth, and protect against evil spells.

Originated in Mogok valley of Burma (known today as Myanmar), Ruby is called “ratnaraj”, meaning “king of precious stone” in the ancient language of Sanskrit. The dominating red colour resembles the most intense emotions of love, passion, fury and anger, it is also treasured for its similarity to blood. It is believed that rubies held the power of life in early cultures.

Exotic tanzanite is found in only one place on earth: the Merelani Hills of Tanzania, near majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. Tiffany & company named the gem after the country it came from. The popularity of this transparent blue-to-violet gem was tied to its vivid colour, high clarity, and potential for large cut stones.

Garnets are closely related mineral species with the same crystal structure but slightly different chemical compositions that form a group. The garnet group offers gems of every hue, from fiery red pyrope to intense-green varieties of grossular and andradite, with hardly any treatment.

Blue Sapphire (Generally referred to as "Sapphire" in trade) is the best known blue gem. It is the Big 3 of jewellery gemstones with ruby and emerald. "Sapphire" comes from the Greek word sappheiros; ancient Greece and Rome elite believed that blue sapphires protected their owners from harm and envy. It has long been associated with royalty and romance and is also said to symbolize fidelity and the soul.

Topaz is a lustrous and brilliant gem. Common topaz in its natural state is colourless, though trace element impurities can make it pale blue or golden brown to honey yellow, fiery orange, and cyclamen pink in warm or cool tones.