The Gemstone Jewelry Ultimate Guide

“These gems have life in them: their colors speak, say what words fail of.” There’s an undeniable truth in what English novelist George Eliot said. Words are fallible, but, as he already hinted at, some things have the power to communicate more profoundly. And when it comes to that, gemstones are far more precious than the crystals cut and polished to make them.

In other words, gems have meaning, making gemstone jewels a great gift. Whenever you want to express your feelings to your loved ones, this category of handmade jewelry will serve its purpose.

However, not every stone is the same. Gemstones differ in history, color, meaning and properties, and if you want to be sure to nail your next gift, you must be prepared. Without further ado, let’s dive into our gemstone jewelry ultimate guide!

Amethyst Jewelry

Symbolism and Properties

Due to its famous purple tone, often associated with royalty, Amethyst has long been favored by the ruling class. However, with time its role changed, and the stone slowly became a symbol of spirituality and protection. After all, its name originates from a Greek word that means “intoxicated” because many believed it could protect that wearer from drunkenness.

Color

Amethyst’s color can range from pale lilac to deep reddish-purple. Generally speaking, intensely colored variants are more highly regarded and valued. However, Amethyst comes in green as well. It is a rare stone in nature and often heat-treated, but it excels on handmade jewelry. In particular, a green Amethyst ring is a special treat for anyone.

How to gift Amethyst Jewelry

Amethyst is February’s birthstone, so it is an excellent gift for those born this month. In general, what makes this gemstone a suitable gift is that it’s highly durable. It scores 7.0 on the Mohs scale, which means that Amethyst jewelry can be worn daily without many risks.

Aquamarine Jewelry

Symbolism and Properties

Throughout history, Aquamarine has held varying meanings to different civilizations. The Ancient Egyptians and Sumerians associated it with youthful vitality and rebirth. It is the primary spring birthstone, which represents hope, purity, and truth. It helps introverted people to improve their public speaking abilities by enhancing the throat chakra.

The Romans named it “aqua marina” due to their association of the gemstone with sailors and calm seas. As a matter of fact, sailors believed in the protective power of aquamarine stones during turbulent storms.

Some people hold the belief that the Aquamarine gemstone enhances love and brings happiness to new marriages.

Color

The name “aquamarine” comes from the Latin word “aqua marinus”, which means “water of the sea,” for no other reason than for its beautiful blue color.

The said color sits on a spectrum from nearly white to light greenish blue to dark blue. Of these, the most in-demand and valuable Aquamarine gemstone is the dark blue to greenish blue that lacks any visible flaws.

Unlike other gemstones that are native to certain countries, Aquamarine deposits can be found in several countries such as Nigeria, the United States, Pakistan, Mozambique, etc. Note, however, Brazil is where most of this gemstone is mined.

How to Gift Aquamarine Jewelry

Deposits of Aquamarine are often found in large six-sided crystals that sometimes grow up to a foot. Its large size makes it possible for it to be cut into varying shapes that can be made into gift-worthy pieces of handmade jewelry such as bracelets, necklaces, and Aquamarine rings. Sure enough, it is most beautiful when its cut is set in yellow or rose gold.

It is a natural substitute for expensive Diamond rings for would-be couples looking for the perfect engagement ring. A hardness of around 7 or 8 (compared to diamond which is 10) on the Mohs scale makes this birthstone very durable, a factor that could explain why it is so common for people to gift Aquamarine jewelry to those born in March.

Its symbolism of important ingredients (such as health and effective communication) to successful marriages makes it a common gift for 19^th wedding anniversaries.

Diamond Jewelry

Symbolism and Properties

Marylin Monroe said it best: diamonds are a girl's best friend. Diamonds have a broad and long history across cultures, economies, and the entertainment industry. Due to the gemstone's durability, it has been coined as symbolizing "forever." With this in mind, how surprising is it that diamonds are among the most popular choices for engagement rings? After all, they symbolize endless love.

Color

Diamonds are found in most naturally existing colors, such as; white, gray, yellow, pink, and green. However, it is possible to manipulate the gems to obtain the color you desire, adding uniqueness to diamond jewelry.

Speaking of uniqueness, Herkimer diamonds are the most powerful quartz crystals. Discovered in the 18th century on native Mohawk Indian land in the US, they enhance spiritual energy and aid in healing.

How to gift Diamond Jewelry

Diamonds are perfect to wear as statement pieces and in simpler fashions, such as stacks, to elevate other pieces. As these gemstones symbolize eternity and love, they are a beautiful and meaningful gift for your loved one. Traditionally, this has been done for decades for engagements. But, anyone you love can receive a token of your eternal love in the form of a diamond.

For example, this beautiful pendant would be perfect as the star of a stack. To add a personal touch, you can layer it with a chain. Gold or silver? It's up to you, but we love this one because it brings out the cool tones of the Herkimer diamond!

Emerald Jewelry

Symbolism and Properties

Emerald has been long considered a holy gemstone. South American Incas and Aztecs were the first to regard it as such, even though the oldest emeralds were found in Ancient Egypt.

Over the centuries, many have believed that this stone could grant the wearer vision, thinking more clearly and objectively. It’s probably for this reason that Emerald became a symbol of intelligence and wisdom with time.

Color

In some cases, Emerald’s color can feature blue undertones, but its intense, deep green makes it genuinely breathtaking for the eye. Nowadays, this gem is synonymous with this color.

How to gift Emerald Jewelry

Gifting Emerald jewelry will hardly be the wrong choice. After all, we are talking about one of the “Big Four” (Sapphire, Ruby and Diamond are the other ones), among the most refined gems on the market.

May’s birthstone scores between 7.5 and 8 on the Mohs scale, which would make it a “safe” choice as well. However, Emerald presents several internal fissures that make it relatively fragile, an element that must be considered.

A huge misconception about this stone is that it’s primarily for women. While this may be partially true, an emerald ring for men is a classy, though underrated, option.

Garnet Jewelry

Symbolism and Properties

Garnet represents love and vitality, but most people don’t know that it was believed to have protecting powers in the past. In particular, many thought this stone to shield its wearer from potential injuries, a characteristic that made it extremely popular among warriors.

Color

When you think about Garnet, the red color comes to mind. Oddly, this little treasure can come in almost any coloring and hue, making it one of the most versatile stones out there.

How to gift Garnet Jewelry

Garnet’s wide range of colors makes it perfect as a gift. However, you should never make the mistake of considering January’s birthstone a simple stone. On the contrary, the Garnet family is among the most complex gemstone worlds. It is the result of many varieties and species blending together. In other words, Garnet jewelry is not for anyone.

The good news is that it has a hardness rate between 6.5 and 7.5 and is more affordable than other precious gems.

Iolite Jewelry

Symbolism and Properties

Blue gemstone jewelry is highly sought after because it represents wisdom, loyalty, and royalty. Darker stones are often expensive, but Iolite is an affordable and beautiful alternative. These stones have a unique value because of their healing properties and spiritual meanings.

Iolite jewelry is significant. The stone is called the “Vikings’ Compass” because it carries the spirit of intuition, journey, exploration, dreams, and illumination. Most people think of it as a guiding stone to help them move spiritually and physically between realms.

Typically, Iolite crystals can help recover balance. They’re often recommended for those suffering from little motivation or disorienting feelings. When holding Iolite jewelry or wearing it, you strengthen your resolve and can take on more responsibility. You also feel self-assurance.

Color

Iolite can range in color from light to dark blue and might even appear as violet. However, it can also be found in shades of brown, green, grey, and yellow.

How to gift Iolite Jewelry

This handmade jewelry type is the ideal gift for people who struggle with self-confidence, motivation, and poor health.

You probably know someone with a poor immune system or who might enjoy alcohol a bit too much. Gifting Iolite jewelry to them might help them prevent overindulgence or feel better more often.

Iolite is also excellent to give to people who waver in their endeavors. For example, they might start projects and never finish them or can’t seem to figure out what to do next. This stone could boost their confidence in themselves and help them take that first step.

When you gift Iolite jewelry, make sure you explain your reasoning. Whether you buy a ring, bracelet, or necklace, they should wear it each day. With daily use, the gemstone makes them happier, more confident, and healthier and could even help them get a promotion at work. Therefore, it’s the perfect present for everyone!

Lapis Lazuli Jewelry

Symbolism and Properties

Self-awareness and self-confidence are the two main benefits for those who choose Lapis Lazuli jewelry. The stone is also said to inspire peace and harmony, improving the wearer's state of mind overall.

Slowly, Lapis Lazuli became known as The Wisdom Stone. Ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, Greece, and Rome treasured the stone and made it part of their tradition.

Color

Even though the gemstone's properties proved to be highly beneficial, ancient civilizations' love for Lapis Lazuli was mainly due to its color. The crystal was valued as much as Turquoise or Sapphire at that time.

The gemstone's celestial, deep blue hue is highly captivating, and its charm is unparalleled.

How to gift Lapis Lazuli Jewelry

Jewelry featuring cabochons and carved elements is probably the best choice if you are looking for a gift. In particular, a Lapis Lazuli ring is an excellent option. A light canvas of silver or white gold exalts the gemstone, and the icy color of the metal brings out its vivid dark blue.

However, Lapis Lazuli is relatively fragile, rating between 5.0 to 6.0 on the Mohs scale, and you should treat it with care.

Larimar Jewelry

Symbolism and Properties

Larimar jewelry is popular to help calm people down, which is fantastic for those fighting stress and anxiety. Moreover, it helps balance several chakras, including the crown, third eye, throat, and heart chakras, making it a great stone to feature in spiritual practices and meditations to promote health and peace of mind.

Many people carry it around and hold it whenever they're feeling worried. When this jewelry is made for this purpose, it is usually shaped in a smooth oval for users to rub in their hands and let go of all worries.

Color

Larimar jewelry features a beautiful and rare blue color. It is a type of Pectolite that acquires its gorgeous hue from substituting the cobalt in the stone for calcium. However, its shade tends to change depending on how much calcium it manages to absorb, so we can find Larimar specimens ranging from white to green to even deep blue. It also has swirls and twirls of white that resemble the Caribbean waves where this stone tends to be found.

This stone is native to the Dominican Republic, and its only known-to-man large mine is located on a remote mountain on this island. Locals still go to this location to mine larimar, sell it to tourists, and export it overseas. Moreover, some smaller mines are located in the US and Canada.

How to gift Larimar Jewelry

This type of handmade jewelry is the perfect gift for anyone who seems to struggle with anxiety and insomnia, as it may help them deal with it. Moreover, Larimar jewelry can be gifted in the shape of polished pendants wrapped in wire to create beautiful necklaces, bracelets, a larimar ring, and many more gemstone jewelry pieces.

This stone is usually paired with silver gemstone jewelry, but it looks equally beautiful with gold or any other precious metal.

Moonstone Jewelry

Symbolism and Properties

As the name suggests, Moonstone represents the power of the moon. It is a balancing gem, a symbol of intuition and fertility. For centuries, royalty valued this stone, believing Moonstone jewelry could increase pregnancy chances.

Color

Moonstone’s color dramatically varies. It can be green, yellow to brownish, even gray or nearly black. Nevertheless, what makes this category of gemstone special is adularescence, the optical phenomenon that gives us the impression of lunar light floating on water.

How to gift Moonstone Jewelry

This stone’s hardness is between 6.0 and 6.5, which is not ideal for daily use. Moonstone jewelry shines on special occasions and is particularly indicated for those who want to connect more intimately with their feminine side.

The birthstone for June is an excellent choice for your finger. Gifting a moonstone ring is simply one of the most beautiful ways to show your love and appreciation.

Pearl Jewelry

Symbolism and Properties

Pearls are some of the most popular gemstones worldwide, and they are often associated with loyalty, integrity, generosity, and purity. People often wear Pearl jewelry to reduce stress and anxiety since some people say pearls have calming effects and give serenity to their wearer’s life.

This gemstone can also represent wisdom and attract good luck. Some say pearls can attract wealth, too, so it’s common to see famous people and socialites wearing pearl jewelry. Citizens from ancient cultures used to give pearls a deep meaning related to mystical beasts and divine events.

Color

One of the reasons people love pearls so deeply is their color, unique among all the other gemstones. Pearls are an off-white tint, and that color is so different from others that designers and people working with houses use “pearl” to name things that are off-white tint.

Unlike other gemstones, you don’t need to cut or polish pearls before using them. Pearls are the only gemstone that comes from a living creature, so everything related to it is completely natural and requires no external help to look beautiful. 

How to gift Pearl Jewelry

Women are mostly the ones who wear pearls, and that means they are an ideal gift for them. Most people use pearls to make necklaces, so it’s not common to see pearl bracelets or any other piece of jewelry made of this gemstone.

These stones symbolize and are associated with many things, but most people gift pearl jewelry as a sign of love and affection. It doesn’t always have to be romantic love, so you can give pearl necklaces to your family and friends, too. 

As mentioned before, pearls can attract luck and wealth, as well as bring serenity to their wearer. Therefore, it’s a good idea to gift pearls to people going through tough times or that you think could need some help overcoming an ordeal.

Ruby Jewelry

Symbolism and Properties

Ruby jewelry has a magical quality to it, whether it's because of its connection to monarchy, old religious times, or therapeutic abilities.

Ruby gemstones have a unique symbolism that has been associated with dignity, purity, and passion throughout history. The deep, red jewel has one thing in common with the past: it holds a special place in the hearts of all those across the world.

Ruby has traditionally been associated with romantic love, as it is thought to inspire loyalty and sensuality. In the 1800s, French jewelers called this a "dearly adored stone."

A ruby stone is said to bring passion and happiness into the wearer's life while warding off negative spirits spiritually. The stone is also thought to increase overall health and spiritual vigor. Apart from its blazing, vibrant color of red, this is another reason why ruby jewelry makes a terrific present.

Color

Rubies are red corundum gemstones. The most common hue of rubies is blood-red, but they can also be orange-red, brown-red, purple-red, or pink-red in tone.

Corundum, a crystalline type of aluminum oxide, is used to make rubies. The ruby's red color is caused by trace levels of chromium, which substitute aluminum in the stone and affect its color.

How to gift Ruby Jewelry

If you're considering getting a piece of ruby jewelry for a loved one, you couldn't have chosen a better stone. Rubies are associated with passion, desire, and love. They're the perfect way to send a message of loyalty and love through jewelry. This gemstone jewelry is a meaningful gift for Valentine's Day or any other special event between two individuals.

What about birthday presents, though? If you were born in July, you were born with the ruby as your birthstone. Giving this 'king of gemstones' as a present to a July newborn is a kind gesture that will be remembered.

Ruby is also the stone of choice for 40th wedding anniversaries. You can choose to offer ruby gifts to your partner to commemorate your 40 years together since they look great in men's and women's gemstone jewelry designs.

When it comes to styling, we recommend wearing this stone as a pendant or earrings since the tone is flattering on various skin tones. Ruby rings are fantastic due to the different designs available for the stone.