discover your stone’s story
Gemstone Guide
Unearth Your Perfect Match
Dazzling colors, magical sparkle – gemstones have captivated hearts for ages. Let’s dive into the details and meaning of each one.
Trying to decide which gemstone is right for you? Let your birthstone guide you, explore the meaning behind the gem, or simply trust your intuition. With the beauty in each of these stones, you can’t go wrong.
Oh, and did you know gemstones have a toughness rating? It's called the Mohs Scale of Hardness and gives each stone a score from 1-10 based on its durability. Diamonds are the rockstars, scoring a perfect 10 for being the hardest substance on Earth!
Are Gemstones Magical?
Gemstones are said to have specific metaphysical properties and energy that humans can benefit from. Some people live by these principles and use them in their everyday life. But whether you believe it or not, isn’t it more fun to have a little magic in your life?
Birthstones
The A to Z of Gemstones
Ever wondered about the meaning behind your birthstone? Or which gemstone would best reflect your personality? Let’s explore the symbolism and magic of each gemstone and help you find the perfect one to connect with.
Alexandrite
grounding | Transformation | Purpose
The magic of alexandrite lies in its ability to completely transform its color, shifting from deep purple all the way to a glowing green. The shift isn’t just a refraction of different colors; the entire stone changes.
As a durable 8.5 on the Mohs scale, this gem is perfect for engagement rings and everyday jewelry.
Beyond its beauty, alexandrite is said to be a good omen, helping the owner find their inner purpose and encouraging them to enjoy the small beauties of everyday life.
While it’s the birthstone for June, its ethereal charm is fitting for anyone drawn to its unique qualities.
Amethyst
calming | creativity | immunity
Amethyst’s calming blend of deep purple and cloudy white coloring is known for soothing anxiety, increasing intuition and creativity, and removing stress and fear of the unknown.
It’s February’s birthstone, but welcomes anyone seeking its soothing benefits.
As a 7 on the Mohs scale, it’s great for jewelry, but may not be best for the wear and tear of everyday pieces like an engagement ring.
Amethysts come in shades of green and purple, complementing other gemstones or creating eye-catching pieces of their own.
Aquamarine
communication | Truth | cleansing
The playful blue hue of aquamarine makes it a standout gem that complements any metal color.
Known as the March birthstone, this light stone welcomes a springtime freshness to jewelry.
This gemstone inspires truth-seeking, self-discovery, and happiness in its wearer. The crystal-clear color defines its connection to water and its cleansing power, washing away toxicity and fostering clear communication.
With a Mohs score of 7.5-8, aquamarine is durable enough for all types of jewelry and can even be used as an accent stone on engagement rings.
Blue Topaz
clarity | prosperity | friendship
With a Mohs score of 8, there aren’t many limitations on the durable blue topaz.
This sky blue gemstone is a symbol of prosperity and is said to bring clarity to unclear or undecided situations. It encourages the wearer to gain a different perspective and trust in both their relationships and themselves.
This is a birthstone for December babies, but anyone can feel confident wearing it.
Citrine
manifestation | wealth | confidence
The radiant gold and yellow hues make citrine a beautiful addition to any piece of jewelry. The warm tones go beautifully with yellow or rose gold and contrast white gold wonderfully.
Citrine is associated with the sun’s power, giving the wearer an opportunity to accept joy and let their true self shine through. Its golden aura helps dissolve stress, fear, and anger, and is also linked to obtaining and maintaining wealth, making it the perfect stone for goal-setters.
A comforting birthstone for November, citrine brings sunshine and warmth to all who wear it.
Diamond
love | eternity | beauty
Famous for starring in engagement rings, diamonds also make beautiful accents and center stones for necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Their durability, scoring a perfect 10 on the Mohs Scale, makes them incredibly versatile.
Besides symbolizing eternal love, they are also believed to conduct energy, helping the wearer radiate positivity and light. With ties to beauty and the divine, it’s clear why this is an attractive gemstone.
Diamonds are April’s birthstone but are popular far beyond that, since they come in a variety of colors like golden champagne, speckled black and gray, and everything in between.
Emerald
loyalty | compassion | romance
Emeralds are highly sought-after gemstones with the timeless allure of their deep green hue.
Emeralds are so loved that they even have a gemstone cut named after them. The emerald cut is a popular shape to cut diamonds and other gemstones into and has a gorgeous vintage feel to it. But no matter what shape it takes, this forest green stone will shine.
Connected to the goddess Venus, emeralds are said to help overcome misfortune and foster hope, love, and encouragement.
May babies are lucky to call the emerald their birthstone, but with a Mohs score of 7.5-8, they are perfect for so many other occasions. They do require extra maintenance and care, so we recommend them for special jewelry, not everyday pieces.
Garnet
passion | sincerity | hope
Garnet is most commonly found in red or earthy green, but the stunning pinkish brown shown here is a Mali garnet, one of our favorite varieties of the stone.
Garnet is a gemstone associated with passion and love. It is said to remove inhibitions and increase confidence, which is the perfect mix for spicing up your love life. But this stone’s passion is more than just lust, it fosters a sincere connection.
This can be a meaningful gift for yourself or a loved one, as it can increase creativity and balance energy.
As the birthstone for January, garnet also symbolizes new beginnings and re-birth.
With a Mohs score of 6.5-7.5, it’s best suited for jewelry that won’t be exposed to daily wear and tear.
Labradorite
guidance | growth | ambition
Labradorite, with its iridescent colors reminiscent of the Northern Lights, is a magical gemstone that sparks creativity and increases ambition, while keeping you grounded and productive.
The cool tones of blues, purples, and grays make it a great addition to jewelry, although with a Mohs score of 6-6.5, we don’t recommend it for engagement rings.
Labradorite is an alternative birthstone for March, but is great for any creative wandering minds.
Moonstone
Balance | intuition | Protection
Moonstone’s mystical glow and unique blue aura make it one of our favorite gemstones to design with.
This stone holds the power to increase a person’s intuition and perspective. With its connection to the moon, it also reminds us to embrace life’s many phases and find harmony in each new chapter.
Moonstone is considered an alternate birthstone for June, but this stone is loved by many. With a hardness score of 6-6.5, it’s not recommended for engagement rings but makes a beautiful centerpiece for other jewelry.
Opal
Transformation | harmony | expression
Opals are unique gemstones because they can appear white, black, or blue, but all display an entire spectrum of the rainbow within them.
Their highly refractive and colorful nature makes them transformative gemstones that highlight both strengths and weaknesses in order to foster self-improvement and boost confidence.
Connected to emotional balance, authenticity, and self-expression, this fiery gemstone creates a protective aura for the wearer.
Opals are the birthstone for October but are very popular in jewelry as many people are drawn to its energy. With a low Mohs score of 5.5-6.5, we don’t recommend opals for engagement rings.
Pearl
Transformation | renewal | truth
Pearls, formed within the soft tissue of mollusks, are unique gemstones with a captivating creation story. When an irritant like a grain of sand enters the mollusk, it secretes layers of nacre, an iridescent substance that forms an outer coating around the irritant and eventually forms a pearl.
These gorgeous gems require extra care, so we recommend wiping your piece with a soft cloth after wearing to help retain its luster. Please avoid submerging your piece in water and avoid chemicals, lotions, and perfumes. We also recommend taking it off when cleaning, working with your hands, and exercising.
Due to their delicate nature, we do not work with pearls in custom designs. Working with gemstones as long as we have, we’ve found that their soft composition makes them very challenging to set in fine jewelry.
Peridot
joy | renewal | focus
The bright green peridot is known for bringing joy, renewal, and acceptance to the wearer. Its color is fitting as August’s birthstone, soaking up all the warmth and color before fall.
Peridot is a cheerful stone known to improve the wearer’s disposition and make room for positivity. While legends say that its magic works best when worn on the right side, this gemstone is beautiful regardless of where you place it.
Some have coined it the “study stone” for its focus-enhancing properties.
Coming in at a 6.5-7 on the Mohs Scale, peridot isn’t ideal for an engagement ring, so we design pieces that cater to the softness of the stone and protect it. Encasing it in a bezel setting is one way to ensure it will be safe with less exposure.
Ruby
sensual | courage | powerful
Rubies are a deep red gemstone known for a rich history in royal jewelry and crowns. The powerful burgundy stone symbolizes nobility and passion, and with its association with sensuality, makes a perfect token of love.
The ideal birthstone for fiery July babies, this gemstone empowers its wearer to live life to the fullest and succeed at opportunities thrown their way.
A ruby is perfect for an engagement ring thanks to a hardness score of 9 but can also add a bold splash of color to any piece of fine jewelry.
Sapphire
commitment | spirituality | integrity
Although sapphires are found in every color except for red, they are known for deep blue variations.
A favored gem among royalty, like Princess Kate, sapphires are deeply connected to commitment and loyalty. They are symbols of devotion, and with a durability of 9 on the Mohs Scale, they make perfect centerpieces for engagement rings.
Sapphires are more than just a beautiful addition to your jewelry collection as they also inspire wisdom and intuition.
Spinel
DEVOTION | STAMINA | LONGEVITY
Spinel is a gemstone that might surprise you with its variety of colors ranging from bright red and lilac purple, to blue, green, and even black. In ancient times, Spinel was often confused for rubies and sapphires.
Now recognized as a birthstone for August, spinel is gaining well-deserved popularity. It ranks as an 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it a great gem for everyday accessories.
Similar to rubies, spinel’s fiery red color has been associated with passion and devotion. It’s also said to boost both physical and mental stamina.
Turquoise
wisdom | empathy | serenity
Turquoise is rich in tradition and meaning. Symbolizing peace and serenity, this gemstone brings calm to those who wear it. It is said to foster self-actualization and the ability to step into one’s full potential. It helps people seek empathy and understanding of others while also encouraging them to set boundaries and speak up for themselves.
It is a softer gem with a 5-6 on the Mohs Scale, so its organic form is often placed in a bezel setting for protection. With the correct setting and design, turquoise can be a long-lasting addition to your jewelry collection.
A lesser known birthstone, turquoise is an alternative to blue topaz for the month of December.
Discover Gemstone Jewelry
You can find pieces with these gorgeous gemstones in our collection, or if you’re dreaming up your own gemstone piece, we can create a custom design just for you.