Garnets have long been carried by travellers to protect against accidents far from home. With its stunning variety of colours and its mystical powers, it has been given as a gift for all occasions for centuries. Garnets are available in a rainbow of colours, from the deep red Almandite Garnet to the vibrant greens of the Russian Demantoid and African Tsavorite. We also see it appearing in the oranges and browns of Spessartite and Hessonite from Namibia and Sri Lanka and the subtle pinks and purples of Rhodolite.

Amethyst’s are the purple variety of the mineral quartz, often formed in large, six-sided crystals. These velvety-coloured gems are commonly mined in African and South American mines and are very much in demand for jewellery at all price points. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed an amethyst would ward off the intoxicating powers of Bacchus and keep the wearer clear-headed and quick-witted. Amethyst complements both warm and cool colours so it looks equally fabulous set in yellow, rose, and white metals. This unique ability means it will enhance almost every colour in your wardrobe.

Aquamarines are found in a range of blues; from a pale pastel to a greenish-blue to a medium deep colour. Darker shades of blue aquamarines are increasingly rare and, in turn, make the value increase. Aquamarines frequently display their colour as light pastels. The name aquamarine speaks for itself, it comes from the Latin word for seawater. It immediately conjures a stunning pastel sky blue or the bright colour of the sea.

Who doesn’t love this birthstone? Formed far beneath the Earth’s surface over a billion years ago, diamonds are the hardest gem of all. Since ancient times, diamonds have been coveted and admired objects of desire. Diamonds have a long history of folklore; some of which say diamonds were created when bolts of lightning struck rocks, and others say the gem possesses healing powers. You can read more about diamonds here.

It’s easy to be green with envy with May’s birthstone! The deeper and more vivid the colour of green, the more valuable the emerald. The most valuable and beautiful emeralds exhibit an intense slightly bluish hue in addition to their basic bold green colour. Emeralds, among the rarest of gems, are almost always found with birthmarks, known as inclusions. Some inclusions are expected and do not detract from the value of the stone.

Love magic? Then you’ll love alexandrite, which is somewhat of a chameleon. Outside in daylight, it is a cool bluish mossy green. Inside, it can resemble a red gem with a warm raspberry tone. You can watch it flick back and forth by switching from fluorescent to incandescent light. The value of alexandrite increases as the colour change becomes more distinct.

Pearls have been coveted as a sign of wealth and prosperity for hundreds of years. Pearls are produced in the bodies of marine and freshwater mollusks, cultured by people with great care. The process to culture pearls was pioneered and refined during the late nineteenth century and is the modern method for production. Pearls are lustrous and smooth, with subtly coloured pearls showcased in jewellery staples, such as strands and earrings.

The ruby represents love, passion, courage, and emotion. For centuries, this gem has been considered the king of all gems. Ruby is one of the most historically significant coloured gemstones. Like most gemstones, the colour of a ruby is its most important feature. Rubies are available in a range of red hues from purplish and bluish red to orange-red.

Peridot gemstones are mined the world over, some are mined in Arizona in the US, and they are also found in China, Myanmar, and Pakistan. Peridot is available in several colours ranging from yellowish green to brown, but the bright lime green and olive green are often the most desired . If you prefer citrus tones or earth tones, jewellery pieces featuring this gemstone would be perfect! Peridot is a beautiful gemstone that provides a big and bold look at an affordable price.

The bright red colour of spinel is so closely related to the ruby, the two can be confused with one another. Here’s something you may not know: Spinel is actually rarer than ruby! In addition to beautiful rich reds, spinel can be found in shades of orange and beautiful pastel pink, as well as purple. This type of spinel is one of the most spectacular gemstone colours and unlike any other gem. If you’re not familiar with spinel as a gemstone, you will be soon! It is becoming increasingly popular.

When hearing the word sapphire, many people immediately envision a stunning violet-blue gemstone. The word sapphire is Greek for blue and for centuries, sapphire has been associated with royalty and romance. The most important sapphires are from Myanmar, Kashmir and Sri Lanka. The purer the blue, the greater the price! Sapphires are not only blue, they come in almost every colour of the rainbow: pink, yellow, orange, peach, and violet colours.

In ancient times, the opal was known as the Queen of Gems because it encompassed the colours of all other gems. Each opal is truly one-of-a-kind; as unique as our fingerprints. Some people prefer the calming flashes of blues and greens they see in opals; others love the bright reds and yellows. With its rainbow of colours, the opal provides you a gem that can be worn with so many items. Since opals are the most individual gemstone with its range of colours, be sure to choose one that showcases your colour preference and pattern!

Available in many colours and colour combinations, tourmaline lives up to its name, which means “mixed stone”. Cranberry red, hot magenta, bubblegum pink, peach and orange, canary yellow, mint, grass and forest green, ocean blue, violet: tourmaline is all of these colours and more. Tourmaline is also known for displaying several colours in one gemstone. With these choices, you’re sure to find one in your favourite colour!

This bright shining gem was said to be a gift from the sun. The name citrine, which is French for “lemon”, fits well with its colour range of juicy lemon yellow to a bright orangey brown. Most people choose a citrine based on their personal preference, but some of the most sought-after citrine gemstones have a clear, radiant yellowish to brownish red colour. Citrine is one of the most popular and affordable gemstones and available in a wide range of sizes and shapes, including very large sizes. These reasons make it a great gem for that big, bold, statement piece and something custom designed!

A topaz (like many other coloured gemstones) comes in several different shades of colour – yellow, brown, honey, green, blue, red, pink—or sometimes no colour at all! The November birthstone Topaz is often found in an amber gold, yellow, or a blushing pink orange, with a sherry red topaz being very exceptional. The most prized colour of topaz is called imperial topaz and features a fabulous orange with pink undertones. With its worldwide appeal throughout the centuries, once you find that perfect topaz, you’ll soon be under its spell!

Tanzanite is a unique gemstone found in only one place on Earth: the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. Since its discovery just a half-century ago, Tanzanite has become one of today’s most popular gemstones. It comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and striking assortments of violet blue to purple tones. Rarely pure blue, tanzanite almost always displays overtones of purple. Though Tanzanite is available in large sizes suitable for major rings and pendants, it is frequently set into necklaces or earrings more suitable to its soft nature.

Turquoise is among the oldest known gemstones and its popularity has spanned the globe for centuries. It looks elegant both formally and casually. Turquoise is an opaque, light to dark blue or blue-green gem with its finest colour being an intense robin’s egg blue. This gemstone may contain narrow veins of other materials either isolated or as a network. They are usually black, brown, or yellowish-brown in color. Known as the matrix, these veins of color are sometimes in the form of an intricate pattern, called a spider web.

Most people think of a bright sky blue when they hear zircon, but it is also available in beautiful earth tones of green, dark red, yellow, brown, and orange. With the spectrum of beautiful colours, its rarity and affordability are why it is becoming more popular today. Some gem collectors seek out zircon from different locations, capturing gems in every colour of the rainbow – colourless, green, blue, yellow, brown, orange, dark red, and all the colours in between.