Gemstone Guides

The 'Petrified Forest National Park' in Arizona, has 100s of acres of agatized wood in a multitude of colour

An 'emerald' by day a 'ruby' by night

Believed to bring prosperity to new businesses when hung over a doorway

"It is like looking into the heart of creation with an amber spyglass"

Victoria Finlay, Jewels

"Amethyst dissipates evil thoughts and quickens the intelligence"

Leonardo da Vinci

An important source of phosphorous, one of the chemicals used in matches

Around 500-300BC, Greek sailors wore engraved aquamarine amulets to protect them at sea

Believed to be the first gemstone that was man-made before its natural counterpart was discovered

Ancient Egyptians carried carnelian on their bodies as a source of constant renewal and vitality

Believed to promote charity and improve relationships

In the 1800s thieves believed that placing chrysoprase in their mouth would render them invisible

First used in jewellery in Greece during the Hellenistic period (4th-1st century BC)

Once thought to be a plant, coral has been called the 'garden of the sea'

Pure carbon, diamond is one of the oldest minerals in the universe

Said to promote domestic bliss, loyalty and sensitivity in couples

'The passion stone', garnet is available in every colour but blue

Beneficial to wear when working around computers, it is thought to protect against unionized radiation

Exhibiting strong pleochroism, it appears different colours when viewed from different angles

Known to the native Indians as chalchihuitil, it was regarded as more precious than gold

Named after G.F Kunz, the American gemmologist who first described it in detail in 1902

Known to induce tranquillity and calm, as well as enhancing communication

According to Eskimo lore, the Northern Lights used to be trapped within rocks along the coast of Labrador

Called the 'stone of rulers,' in some ancient kingdoms, lapis was forbidden to commoners, and worn only by royalty

The oldest malachite decoration on record is estimated to be 10,500 years old

Considered to be an energy balancer

Sacred in ancient India, it was thought that if placed in lover's mouths during a full moon, futures would be revealed

Named after the banker tycoon and gem enthusiast, J. P. Morgan

Around one in 10,000 oysters collected for mother-of-pearl contains a natural pearl

Composed of a mat of tightly interlocking fibres, nephrite is stronger than steel

In India, it is thought to help concentration levels in absentminded people and calm a chaotic life

Fossil bones and seashells have been unearthed in Australia, replaced by opal

This unusual name is derived from the Sinhalese word meaning 'lotus blossom'

Cartier's 5th Avenue store was bought in 1917 with $100 and a two-strand natural pearl necklace

'Emerald of the crusaders', it is one of the few gemstones to only occur in one colour

Thought to stimulate inner knowing of oneself, and encourage analytical thinking

'Fool's Gold'

Has been discovered in prehistoric burial mounds

Crystal balls are typically made of rock crystal

Ranging in colour from peach to milky pink to clear rose, this soft beautiful colour is completely unique

In Sanskrit, rubies are known as ratnaraj, ‘king of precious stone'

Thought by some to be captured sunlight, rutilated quartz has been described as 'Cupid's darts'

Part of the garnet family, Rhodolite is a beautiful mix of purple and red

The ancient Persians believed that the Earth rested on an enormous sapphire

One of the few brown gemstones to be used in jewellery

'The great imposter of the gemstone world' plays a starring role in the British Crown Jewels

Unearthed in 1944, it was named after its co-discoverer, the Japanese petrologist Ken-ici Sugi

'The most beautiful blue stone discovered in over 2000 years' Tiffany's marketing tagline in 1968

Exhibits a stunning changeable silky luster as light is reflected within thin parallel fibrous bands

The 1,640 carats Braganza diamond, once set in the Portuguese crown, is believed now to have been a topaz

As a gemstone, the tourmaline surpass all others with its range of colour

One of the oldest protection amulets, it is thought to provide strength and peace

Jewish legends say that zircon was the name of the guardian angel sent to watch over Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden

A piece of Astley Clarke jewellery; a journey through our online