The most important milestones in life warrant the appearance of something special. When attending a special occasion, such as a wedding, graduation ceremony or baby shower, your jewellery should shine bright and join you in celebration.
So, if you’re wondering how to accessorise for your next special occasion, here are our top gemstone recommendations.
AGATE
Agate, a member of the Quartz family, is mentioned in the Bible as one of the ‘stones of fire’ and sits at 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness, meaning it’s strong enough to withstand daily wear. Agate formed as a banded round nodule (similar to the rings of a tree trunk), and these bands come in a variety of shapes and colours, creating the many varieties of Agate that we know and love such as Moss and Blue Lace.
Agate can be found all over the world; however, the main sources of gem-quality Agate come from Brazil, the USA, Australia, Italy and Madagascar. We are privileged to be able to bring you a wide variety of Agate jewellery in a range of expressive colours, leaving you equipped for any special occasion and completely spoilt for choice.
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AQUAMARINE
One of the world’s most popular and well-known gemstones, Aquamarine boasts a clarity like no other stone on Earth – so it’s no secret why it’s such a favourite of many gem collectors! Plus, as March’s birthstone, it’s the perfect gift for a birthday.
A member of the Beryl family, Aquamarine’s defining characteristic is its charming pale blue colour, created by the presence of iron. This sea-coloured stone has earned many oceanic superstitions over the years; sailors were believed to have taken Aquamarine to sea as a lucky charm to protect them from shipwrecks, and on shore it was said to prolong relationships. So, it’s arguably the perfect gem to wear to a wedding or anniversary.
We source our Aquamarine from multiple places around the world – however, our most common variety is our Santa Maria Aquamarine, extracted from Brazil. If your special occasion warrants jewellery with a clarity like no other, Aquamarine is the stone to start with.
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BLACK SPINEL
One of the rarest minerals to come from the Spinel family, Black Spinel is often confused with Black Tourmaline. It sits at 8 on the Mohs scale, and is usually mined alongside precious gemstones such as Ruby and Sapphire. Spinel varieties are mostly found in South East Asian countries like Cambodia and Thailand, however traces have also been sourced across other countries such as Brazil, Madagascar, Nigeria and Nepal.
Although Spinel comes in a variety of different colours, including reds, purples, blues and yellows, there’s just something about Black Spinel that sets it apart from the rest. The stone’s mystery and class make it effortlessly stylish, and it’s as beautiful as it is rare.
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DIAMOND
Diamond is a gemstone that needs no introduction. The strongest, most valuable and most popular stone in the world, Diamond’s name derives from the Greek word ‘adamas’, meaning ‘invincible’.
Its high refractive index is what gives the Diamond its infamous sparkle, and it’s immediately different from other gemstones in the sense that the less colour it has, the higher its value. We source our Diamonds from pretty much every corner of the world; Africa is a major Diamond supplier which used to control the market, but today holds less than 50% of the share. More recent large Diamond sources include Canada, Australia, India and Brazil.
There are few gemstones that exude elegance quite like Diamond – and luckily for you, we have them in clusters.
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ONYX
Although we offer Onyx – a member of the Agate group – in a vast array of colours, it is generally viewed as a jet-black gemstone that practically radiates distinction and class.
In its natural state, Onyx (like Agate) contains lines of colour that are usually black and white – however, the difference is that an Onyx’s lines are straighter. But when an Onyx is pure black without any lines, this is due to an ancient dyeing process, and the stone is referred to as simply ‘Black Onyx’.
Our Head of Design, Sarah Bennett, uses Onyx in many of her bolder gemstone designs, believing the stone’s jet back hue results in one of the most eye-catching lustres in the gemstone world – and we’re inclined to agree with her!
Onyx has a desirable uniqueness about it, and it’s a reliable stone for any special occasion.
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PEARL
Pearl is just one example of the miracle that is Mother Nature. The way that one grain of sand can turn into one of the most gorgeous gems in the world is a phenomenon that only our planet can achieve, and it’s a process that’s both baffled and amazed us for years.
Pearls, as we know, grow inside molluscs, and if a foreign or unwanted object (such as a grain of sand) enters a mollusc, it disturbs the creature inside. So, in order to protect itself, it coats the object with a silky substance known as nacre. The mollusc will continue to do this over time, and when it’s opened three to five years after the initial intrusion, that grain of sand will have evolved into a beautiful natural Pearl.
The backstory of a Pearl is marvellous, and wearing them to an event makes for a good conversation starter.
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TIGER’S EYE
Another member of the Quartz family, the brown and golden stripes of Tiger’s Eye has fascinated humans for thousands of years. The gem displays a small ray of light on its surface, known as chatoyancy, and when cut to a cabochon it resembles the eye of a tiger – hence the name.
Since ancient times, Tiger’s Eye has been worn to bring good luck and to help put you on the right path in life. So, it’s a great stone to have in your collection, and a great accessory for your next special occasion.
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Gemstones make great occasion accessories; their opulence is unmatched, and their colours are nothing short of exquisite. Luckily, there are a whole host of gemstones to choose from – so whatever your next occasion is, there’s sure to be a stone that looks like it's been especially made for you to wear.
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