Bevilles Jewellery School 101 is your guide to diamonds, gemstones, and precious metals.
Coloured gemstones have been cherished for centuries for their beauty, symbolism, and unique character. From vibrant sapphires and romantic rubies to calming emeralds and modern lab-created gems, each stone tells its own story. Whether you’re choosing jewellery for yourself or a meaningful gift, discover the perfect coloured gemstone with our guide.
Meaning: Wisdom, loyalty, protection, and trust
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Historical relevance:
Sapphires have long been associated with royalty and protection. Ancient cultures believed blue sapphires symbolised wisdom and brought good fortune. They have also been worn by monarchs and featured in significant royal jewellery collections.
Meaning: Calmness, communication, and clarity
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Blue topaz has been valued throughout history for its peaceful blue tones and was believed to promote balance and positive energy.
Meaning: Passion, love, confidence, and vitality
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Known as the “king of gemstones,” rubies have been treasured by ancient civilisations for their intense red colour. They were often associated with power, protection, and prosperity.
Meaning: Friendship, commitment, and energy
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Garnets have been used in jewellery for thousands of years and were popular among ancient Egyptians, Romans, and royalty.
Meaning: Growth, renewal, love, and harmony
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Emeralds have been admired since ancient times, particularly by Egyptian royalty. Cleopatra was famously known for her love of emeralds, which symbolised beauty, power, and rebirth.
Meaning: Happiness, positivity, and protection
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One of the oldest known gemstones, peridot was valued by ancient Egyptians and was believed to protect against negative energy.
Meaning: Peace, balance, spirituality, and clarity
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Amethyst has been admired since Ancient Greece, where it was believed to provide protection and clarity. Its name comes from a Greek word associated with preventing intoxication.
Meaning: Love, kindness, and emotional connection
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Discovered in the early 20th century, morganite was named after financier and gemstone collector J.P. Morgan, who supported gemstone research.
Meaning: Happiness, success, and abundance
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Citrine has been admired for centuries for its warm golden tones and has often been associated with prosperity and positivity.
Meaning: Wisdom, prosperity, and confidence
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Yellow sapphires have been highly valued in many cultures and traditionally represented knowledge and good fortune.
Meaning: Love, commitment, strength, and eternity
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Meaning: Clarity, sincerity, wisdom, and protection
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Meaning: Creativity, inspiration, individuality, and emotional expression
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Meaning: Clarity, brilliance, and timeless elegance
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Both lab-created gemstones and mined gemstones have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties when they are the same type of gemstone. The key difference is where they come from.
Mined gemstones are naturally formed beneath the earth over millions of years. Each stone is unique, with natural variations created during its formation.
Benefits:
Lab-created gemstones are grown in controlled environments using advanced technology that replicates natural gemstone formation.
Benefits:
The choice between lab-created and mined gemstones comes down to personal preference, budget, values, and the story you want your jewellery to represent.
Hardness (Mohs Scale): Measures a stone's resistance to being scratched.
Toughness: Measures a stone's resistance to breaking, chipping, or shattering from an impact.
Hardest gemstone is Diamond at a Mohs rating of 10. Pearl is the softest at a Mohs rating of 2.
| Colour Group | Gemstone | Mohs Hardness | Durability Class / Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue & Violet | Sapphire | 9.0 | Excellent (Everyday jewellery) |
| Topaz | 8.0 | Very Good (Prone to chipping) | |
| Tanzanite | 6.5 - 7.0 | Fair | |
| Amethyst | 7.0 | Good (General jewellery) |
| Red & Pink | Ruby | 9.0 | Excellent (Everyday jewellery) |
| Spinel | 8.0 | Very Good (Daily jewellery) | |
| Rhodolite / Almandine Garnet | 7.0 - 7.5 | Good | |
| Tourmaline | 7.0 - 7.5 | Good (Handle with care) |
| Green | Chrysoberyl / Alexandrite | 8.5 | Excellent (Everyday jewellery) |
| Emerald | 7.5 - 8.0 | Good (Handle with care) | |
| Tsavorite Garnet | 7.0 - 7.5 | Good (Bright green alternative to Emerald) | |
| Peridot | 6.5 - 7.0 | Fair |
| Yellow & Orange | Yellow Sapphire | 9.0 | Excellent (Everyday jewellery) |
| Citrine | 7.0 | Good (affordable) | |
| Spessartine Garnet | 7.0 - 7.5 | Good (Vivid Orange) |
| White & Clear | Diamond | 10.0 | Maximum (Ultimate durability for daily wear) |
| White Sapphire | 9.0 | Excellent (Great clear alternative to diamond) | |
| White Topaz | 8.0 | Very Good (Affordable clear stone; prone to chipping) | |
| Cubic Zirconia (CZ) | 8.0 - 8.5 | Very Good (Synthetic; highly brilliant, scratch-resistant) | |
| Rock Crystal (Clear Quartz) | 7.0 | Good (Abundant and affordable) | |
| White Zircon | 6.5 - 7.5 | Fair to Good (Natural stone; high brilliance but fragile edges) |
BIRTHSTONE GUIDE
JEWELLERY GIFT GUIDE
JEWELLERY CARE
HOW TO FIND YOUR RING SIZE
