STONES GUIDE

One of the oldest known gemstones, garnets can be found in a rich palette of colors, but are most famous and prized for their dark red hue. Red garrnet is a powerful stone thought to represent the most unstoppable forces of life: the heart, blood, and inner fire. Across history and civilizations, garnets have been featured in the jewels and rituals of pharohs, monarchs, and nobility seeking to evoke the energy of these primordial forces.

Amethyst is the purple variety of the quartz mineral species, with stones ranging from light lavender to deep royal purple. In Ancient Greece and Rome, amethyst was believed to be an antidote to intoxication, imparting clear-headedness and temperance. Its grounding energy keeps the mind alert and wits sharp. For periods in history, amethysts were considered equal in value to rubies, emeralds, and even diamonds.

Named for the color of sea water, aquamarine's sparkling blue-green color is reminiscent of the ocean's pure, glittering surface. Like the sea, aquamarine transmits a soothing energy that evokes clarity and calm. Ancient storytellers believed aquamarine to be the treasure of mermaids and an amulet of luck, fearlessness, and protection for sailor or anyone embarking on a brave journey.

With its unique pearly, opaque sheen, moonstone is reminiscent of the moon’s silvery white veil. The rainbow variety acts as a prism, capturing and diffusing light with brilliant energy and iridescent color. Considered sacred in some ancient traditions, moonstone has long been associated with the magic of the moon, serving as an uplifting beacon of hope and renewal.

One of the four precious gemstones alongside sapphire, ruby and diamond, emerald has been a source of fascination and enchantment across cultures for millennia. From Egyptian pharaohs to Inca emperors to Indian moguls, emerald has long been treasured for its spiritual power and natural beauty. Its lush green color brings both soothing and vitality to the spirit, evoking spring's energy of rebirth and renewal.

The only gems to emerge from living creatures, pearls are the treasures of Earth’s waters, and are thought to embody the mystery, purity, and raw life-sustaining force of water. Prized for their organic beauty and creamy luster, pearls have been a coveted symbol of wealth and status for millennia. So much so that Pierre Cartier traded a single necklace made of pearls to acquire the Fifth Avenue mansion housing his brand’s New York flagship to this day.

The most precious of the colored gemstones, rubies have been the subject of captivation and desire for millennia. Prized for their rarity and glowing, fiery red shades, they are historically one of the most sought-after gems by royalty and nobility. Rubies carry deep significance and meaning among cultures the world over, often symbolizing love, beauty, virtue, and wisdom.

Peridot is one of the two "extreme gems" (the other being diamond) in that it is not formed in the earth's crust, but in the molten rock of the upper mantle, and brought to surface by volcanic eruptions. Ancient legends told of peridot created by an explosion of the sun and, in fact, peridot has been found in fallen meteorites. Embodying beauty and light that stands up to turbulent forces, peridot is believed to drive out darkness.

A precious jewel coveted for thousands of years, sapphire is steeped in the history and lore of numerous cultures. Although it is primarily associated with the color blue, sapphire comes in a rainbow of rich hues. Traditionally, sapphire is believed to symbolize nobility, truth-seeking, and faithfulness. It has decorated high-ranking clergy and royalty for centuries, and is featured in the iconic engagement ring previously worn by Princess Diana.

Thanks to its kaleidoscopic display of light and color, opal has long been compared by poets and writers to dazzling galaxies and fireworks. Because opal contains the colors of other gemstones, the Romans believed it to be the most precious stone of all. Many cultures have credited opal with supernatural origins and powers—often considerring it to be a conduit of truth. Just as opal absorbs and reflects light, it is said to pick up thoughts, desires, and emotions, amplifying and returning them to the source.

Citrine, whose name originates from the French word "citron" for lemon, is a yellow variety of quartz. Used by Ancient Romans as a prized adornment, it was repopularized by Queen Victoria, who featured it prominently in her jewelry. Reminiscent of light, sunny days, citrine is believe to uplift the soul and impart joyful energy. Used in conjunction with feng shui, it is thought to welcome prosperity and positivity.

One of the world’s most ancient gems, turquoise is the only stone to have a color named after it. It has been treasured for thousands of years, by civilizations across the world. Ancient Egyptians used turquoise in some of the earliest examples of jewelry, and Native Americans have prized it for centuries, both as a part of daily rituals and as a spiritual source of protection from harm and evil. Many cultures believe turquoise to be a beacon of wisdom and tranquility.

Labradorite is treasured for its remarkable, iridescent play of color, known as labradorescence. Found in Canada’s Labrador region, which is famous for its northern lights, labradorite features shimmering gold and green lights that evoke the Aurora Borealis. Long associated in folklore with the capture and retention of light, labradorite is thought to offer healing and protection from negative forces.

Lapis lazuli is a deep blue stone characterized by its tiny flecks of minerals such as mica and sparkly pyrite, which give it a unique appearance reminiscent of a starry night sky. One of the oldest recorded gemstones, lapis lazuli was prized by ancient civilizations, who used it in their highest art forms. Cleopatra famously used the stone in powdered form as eyeshadow. Since the earliest times, lapis lazuli has been associated with strength and courage, wisdom, and honor.

One of the most elusive gemstones, Larimar has only ever been found in one location in the world—a remote mountain range in the Dominican Republic. Larimar’s cool blue color mirrors the Caribbean waters that surround its only known deposit. A product of volcanic eruptions, Larimar carries a fiery glow that echoes its origins, while simultaneously evoking the tranquility of rippling blue waves.

One of the rarest and most precious gemstones, black spinel is also one of the least known. Throughout history, spinels were the treasures of kings and emperors, passing through hands and kingdoms as spoils of war. Spinel is featured in the Côte de Bretagne, formerly of the French Crown jewels, and it is one of the centerpieces of England’s Crown Jewels. Black spinel in particular is believed to repel negativity and help the wearer channel empowerment, inspiration, and healing.

Despite its name, white topaz is in fact the brilliant, colorless variety of topaz. Also known as pure topaz, white topaz is different from other varieties in that it lacks the impurities that cause the stones to take on color. Rich with historical folklore, topaz was believed by ancient civilizations to impart life-enriching properties such as healing, power, positivity, and happiness.