Sapphire

Derived from the ancient Greek word 'sapphirus', sapphire is a gemstone steeped in legend and lore. Once thought to preserve the wearer from envy and to attract divine favour, sapphires have also been believed to be able to make peace between foes and act as a symbol of truth and sincerity.

The best sapphires are well-cut, clear to the naked eye and most importantly of an intense colour accompanied by a powerful sparkle in their depths. Although most sapphires are blue, they are also found in a rainbow of other colours including spectacular yellows and vivid pinks.

The gem gravels of Sri Lanka are famous for their abundance of fancy coloured sapphires including the exquisite orange-pink 'padparadscha', named after the Sinhalese lotus flower of a similar colour. Other important producers include Madagascar, Thailand and Burma.

The second hardest mineral after diamond, sapphire belongs to the corundum family. Sapphires are actually composed mainly of aluminium and oxygen, with the blue colouring provided by the presence of iron and titanium.

Sapphire is the birthstone for September and is traditionally given as a 45th wedding anniversary gift.

Ruby

Ruby also belongs to the corundum family and is in fact the name for red sapphire, derived from the Latin ‘ruber’. Composed of aluminium oxide, ruby’s stunning red colour is due to the presence of chromium.

Like sapphire the beauty of ruby lies in the richness and intensity of its colour. The ideal colour for a ruby is a fluorescent red like that of a traffic signal, with a lively inner sparkle. The finest rubies display a colour described as pigeon’s blood.

Ruby’s crimson shades have led to associations with passion, blood and fire; the ancient Hindus described the glowing hue of the ruby as an inextinguishable fire that burned within the stone. Another belief was that the lucky owner of a fine ruby was assured of a life lived in peace and prosperity.

Rubies are found in marble and in other rocks that were created as a result of prehistoric volcanic eruptions in Africa and southern Asia. The world’s finest rubies are generally thought to be from Burma.

Their extreme hardness and durability make both ruby and sapphire an excellent choice for engagement rings, particularly when used to accent the brilliant clear sparkle of diamond.

Ruby is the traditional gemstone for 40th wedding anniversary gifts as well as the birthstone for July.

Emeralds

Derived from the old Greek word 'smaragdos', meaning green stone, emeralds are thought to be offered in Babylon at the earliest known gemstone market, around 4000 BC. They were dedicated by the ancients to the goddess Venus. Throughout history they have been a symbol of immortality and faith; their lush green colour has even led to associations with fertility and rebirth.

Emeralds belong to the beryl family. Beryl is found in several colours - the pale blue aquamarine is a popular variety, but emerald is by far the most valuable. The green colour is due to the presence of chromium in the beryl crystal. Due to their brittle nature emeralds tend to be cut in an octagon shape, which has come to be known as the emerald-cut.

Although emeralds lack the fire, high lustre and great hardness of diamond and corundum, the unique velvety green of emeralds places them among the most precious of gems. Flawless emeralds are exceedingly rare; many emeralds are fractured and almost all contain mineral inclusions. A flawless emerald with a deep rich colour is the most highly prized of all precious gemstone - likely to out-price even a high-quality diamond.

Emerald is traditionally give as a 55th wedding anniversary gift and is the birthstone for May.

Tanzanite

Tanzanite is the newest gemstone to have been discovered; deposits were found in 1967 near the foot of Mount Kiliminjaro in Tanzania. This remains to date the only place in the world where this rare gemstone can be found.

Tanzanite is part of the Zoisite family and has a velvety blue colour with a hint of violet. Unlike other gemstones Tanzanite has its own colour grading system, developed and regulated by the Tanzanite Foundation. This gem scores six on Moh’s scale of hardness which means tanzanite jewellery needs to be worn with care.

Tanzanite is the first gemstone in almost 100 years to be officially added to the birthstone calendar it has been adopted as an alternative birthstone for December.

Pearls

Pearls are celebrated for their timeless beauty and elegance and come in various types, each distinguished by unique characteristics.  Three prominent types of pearls are Akoya pearls, Tahitian pearls and freshwater pearls, each offering distinct features and appeal. The term cultured pearl refers to cultivated or farmed pearls as opposed to those discovered naturally.  

Akoya pearls are renowned for their high-lustre appearance and uniform round shape and are available in various shades of white, from cream to silver-pink and pink.  They range from 4mm to 10mm in diameter and are primarily harvested off Japanese coasts. Akoya pearls are generally considered the most iconic and sought-after type of pearl for fine jewellery.  

Freshwater pearls, harvested in lakes and rivers as opposed to salt water, are the most commercially used species of cultured pearl. Produced mainly in China, they are grown in mussels, allowing for many pieces to be grown at one time. Sizes range from 2 – 16mm and the colours range extensively from white to fancy pastel colours such as peach, pink and lavender. Due to their wide production and availability, freshwater pearls are an attractive option for lower priced jewellery.

Tahitian pearls, also known as black pearls, originate primarily from French Polynesia. These pearls, which range from 8mm to 18mm in diameter, are valued for their exotic dark hues and rich overtones of green, blue and pink. Some pieces can be very rare and they are often used in statement jewellery pieces. 

South Sea pearls, cultivated in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, are considered the most valuable species of cultured pearl. They range in size from 9 – 20mm, and have the thickest average nacre of all cultured pearls, producing a soft and luxurious lustre. The Silver-Lipped Oyster produces white Australian South Sea pearls, whilst the Gold-Lipped Oyster produces the intensely gold-coloured ‘Indonesian’ South Sea pearls. .

The most commonly-used quality scale for pearls ranges from A to AAA.  AA grade pearls have moderate lustre, visible imperfections and some surface blemishes.  In contrast, AAA grade pearls have excellent lustre, nearly flawless surfaces and symmetrical shapes, making them the most desirable and valuable for high-end jewellery. 

Other gemstones

If you're looking for a more unusual coloured gemstone, Pravins' range includes rhodolite, morganite, aquamarine, amethyst, blue topaz and of course coloured diamonds.

In fact, we specialise in creating hand-made pieces around individual gemstones. Our boutique teams will be delighted to talk to guide you through the various choices available.

All images are of Pravins jewellery and are the copyright of Pravins Ltd.  Contact us for more information on any of the pieces shown.