Gemstones - a quick guide
Here at Rok Chix we're passionate about gemstones and how they were formed and where they come from. We are also fascinated by the idea that gemstones have metaphysical properties too – after all, many people believe in the power of gemstones to heal, for instance, or that gems have an effect on the emotions.
And who are we to argue with them?
We're frequently asked about the precious and semi-precious gemstones we use in our designs – so whether you're interested in their perceived powers or just think they are an amazing, natural phenomenon, here's a guide to some of the gemstones we like the best...
AMAZONITE
• Found in India, US, Russia, Namibia, Tanzania, Canada and Brazil
Amazonite is often a solid blue-green colour or blue with white flecks or strips, but you can also find it in other colours such as yellow, pink and grey. It is thought to be soothing for the body and the brain, and balances masculine and feminine energies. Amazonite is also said to banish negative energy – some believe it's even good for toothache.
See Silver Poppy and Gemstone Earrings, Silver and Amazonite Teardrop Earrings
AMETHYST
• Found in Russia, Brazil, Namibia and Zambia
The always-popular amethyst – which has been used in jewellery since at least 2000BC – can be found in shades of light lavender through to the darkest, deepest purple. In gemstone magic, it symbolises power, protection, peace and spirituality and is thought to be an effective meditation aid. Use it to prevent nightmares and increase psychic awareness, and of course to attract true love.
See Amethyst Nugget and Silver Cocktail Ring, Amethyst and Chunky Silver Cross Necklace
AQUAMARINE
• Found in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Brazil, Mozambique, Nigeria and Madagascar
Ranging from pale, almost colourless, blue to vibrant blue-green and the highly precious dark blue variety, aquamarine belongs to the beryl family of gemstones (other beryls include emerald and morganite). It used to be carried by sailors to protect against drowning and is thought to have calming energies, which make it good for reducing stress. In healing, aquamarine is considered useful for sore throats and hay fever.
See Silver and Aquamarine Cluster Ring, Silver and Aquamarine Hoop Earrings
CLEAR QUARTZ
• Found in Africa, Brazil, Japan, Spain, Australia and Burma
Also called quartz crystal or rock quartz, clear quartz is thought to be a powerful stone with many magical and healing powers. The Cherokee Indians used it to tell the future, while some Aboriginal tribes in Australia used it to encourage rain during times of drought. Put some under your pillow if you want to understand your dreams, or wear clear quartz jewellery if you're looking for love.
See Clear Quartz Crystal Nugget and Silver Ring, Silver Snowflake Necklace with Crystal Points
DIAMOND
• Found in South Africa, Australia, Russia, Angola, Botswana, Namibia and Zaire
The hardest known natural mineral in the universe, diamonds are also the most precious gemstone – and as such command the highest prices. Interestingly, diamonds weren't cut as they are now until the 13th or 14th century, as before that people thought cutting them would destroy their magical powers. In metaphysical terms, diamonds are a symbol of purity and love in partnerships – which explains why, traditionally, diamonds are associated with marriage and engagements. Diamonds are also believed to attract abundance, and, thanks perhaps to their high cost, are a symbol of wealth. But that's not all, as diamonds are also said to help with creativity and imagination, as well as mental clarity.
See Raw Diamonds in Gold Blossoms Earrings, White Diamond in Silver Blossom Necklace
FLUORITE
• Found in the US, UK, France, Germany, Austria, Argentina, Burma and Namibia
Fluorite is a relatively soft gemstone – which makes it ideal for carving – that comes in a variety of pretty colours, including bright golden yellow, pink, purple, blue and green. New Agers believe it helps protect against negative energies and stress, and that it can balance emotions.
See Sea-Green Fluorite and Silver Ring
LABRADORITE
• Found in Canada, Russia, Norway, Madagascar and Mexico
Named after the place where it was first discovered (Labrador in Canada), labradorite comes in a range of colours – our favourite being silver-grey – with the best examples displaying rainbow-coloured iridescent flashes (the effect is called labradorescence). If you are interested in psychic powers and intuition, labradorite is the gemstone for you, as it is said to be a highly spiritual mineral. And as if that wasn't enough, it is thought to help bring calm to an overactive mind, and stimulates new ideas.
See Silver and Gemstone Rock Star Ring, Bejewelled Silver and Labradorite Bracelet
MOONSTONE
• Found in Burma, Sri Lanka, Australia, India, Mexico and Brazil
A member of the orthoclase feldspar family of gemstones, moonstone comes in different varieties: there is blue moonstone, rainbow moonstone, green moonstone and even pink moonstone. Like labradorite (which also belongs to the feldspar family), moonstone is said to help with intuition and calms the emotions. Psychics often wear moonstone to boost their abilities. And, being named after the moon, it is also associated with female energy.
See Silver and Gemstone Rock Star Ring, Silver Flower Charm and Moonstone Bracelet
PEARL
• Found in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Manaar (natural pearls) while cultured pearls come from Japan, China, Australia, Polynesia and the Cook Islands
There are saltwater and freshwater pearls, as well as natural and cultured pearl: saltwater pearls are more highly prized, as they are usually of a much higher quality than freshwater pearls, while natural pearls are rare these days, not to mention prohibitively expensive. There are several types of saltwater, freshwater, natural and cultured pearls too. For instance Keishi pearls are, technically speaking, a type of natural saltwater pearl, while freshwater pearls include Biwa(from Lake Biwa in Japan) as well as Mabe and blister pearls. As you may well have already guessed, pearls are associated with innocence and purity, as well as luck and wisdom.
See Charcoal Pearl and Silver Barbs Necklace, Black Pearl and Silver Earrings
ROSE QUARTZ
• Found in Africa, Brazil, India and Madagascar
As you might assume with a pretty pink gemstone, rose quartz – one of several types of crystalline quartz – symbolises unconditional love: many wear it to attract love while others use it to soothe heartache and grief. But be careful: rose quartz is also thought to increase fertility...
See Rose Quartz and Silver Cocktail Ring, Rose Quartz Pendant with Solid Silver Chips
RUBY
• Found in Afghanistan, Thailand, India, Russia, Australia, Kenya, Pakistan and Vietnam
Ruby belongs to the corundum family of gemstones, which also includes sapphire. The most highly sought-after rubies are so-called pigeon's blood rubies, which come from Burma. However, most these days are heat treated to change their colour from a brownish red to a pure, blueish red (which is the most highly prized). Ruby is also said to stimulate the heart chakra, and is often linked with love and passion.
See Silver and Ruby Earrings, Pink Ruby and Silver Cocktail Ring
SAPPHIRE
• Found in Africa, Australia, Brazil, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Burma
Most people associate the colour blue with sapphire, but this gem comes in a variety of colours including pink, green, yellow and purple. The most valuable, however, is cornflower blue (this type of sapphire comes from Kashmir on the borders of India and Pakistan). Along with the ruby (which the sapphire is related to), this gem is the second hardest mineral known – it measures 9 on a scale of hardness called the Mohs' scale, whereas diamond scores a perfect 10. In metaphysical terms, sapphire is associated with wisdom as well as serenity and peace of mind. Some also believe that if you wear sapphire, it will bring you prosperity and gifts.
See Silver Soul Mate Necklace, Silver and Natural Pink Sapphire Ring
TOURMALINE
• Found in Africa, Pakistan, Russia, Burma, Brazil and California
Tourmaline may not be the best known gemstone, but it is surely one of the most beautiful. You can find it in a range of colours, including pink (rubellite), blue-green (indictolite), turquoise (paraiba), yellow-green (verdelite), black (schorl), orange-brown(dravite) and even two or three colours in a single gem (known as bi- and tricolour tourmalines , the best example of which is called watermelon tourmaline). The various different types of tourmalines have different metaphysical properties – watermelon tourmaline, for instance, is linked with tenderness and friendship, while pink tourmaline is thought to attract love. All types of tourmaline are thought to protect the wearer against negative energy, and to promote self-confidence.
See Happy Thoughts Dogtag Necklace, Silver Love Dogtag Necklace
TURQUOISE
• Found in the US, Afghanistan, Mexico, Brazil, China, Chile, Russia, Tanzania and Turkestan
This popular, opaque, blue-green stone is often thought to be lucky and to protect against evil, turquoise was popular with North American Indians as well as the Incas and Aztecs in ancient Mexico (it was mined as far back as 8,000 years ago in Egypt). It too is believed to stimulate romance, and in healing it's often used to help relieve exhaustion, depression and panic attacks.
See Turquoise and Silver Cocktail Ring, Silver and Turquoise Ring Necklace
Want to find out more about gemstones? Two of our favourite books on the subject are:
The Jeweller's Directory of Gemstones (A&CB) by Judith Crowe
The Crystal Bible (Godsfield Press) by Judy Hall
And if you own an iPad, we also thoroughly recommend the app Gems And Jewels, by Lance Grande and Allison Augustyn (worth the price for the amazing animated gemstone images alone).
