Gemstones

For thousands of years humans have been drawn to the beauty and mystery behind gemstones. Kings and queens of all ages were adorned with them, they embellished tombs and tiaras alike and became one of the most highly sought after symbols of status and wealth. Gemstones were also used as talismans, amulets and good luck charms as well as in medicines, metaphysical healing, even watches and mechanical devices. 

Gemstones have been mined for centuries through out the world and remain one of the most concentrated forms of wealth to ever exist. 

Today, we see the diamond as being the most valuable of all gemstones. Clean white diamonds can demand outstanding prices and although theories exist on the true nature of its rarity, the demand for diamonds in jewellery shows no signs of tapering.

As it stands there are over two hundred varieties of gemstones existing on earth, with the most popular being the 'precious' group of gemstones that is Sapphire, Ruby, Diamond and Emeralds. 

Sapphire and Ruby are both varieties of the Corundum mineral family, where all colours of the gemstones are called Sapphires, except for the Red variant which is Ruby. It is an attractive choice for bridal jewellery due to its hardness and durability. Corundum is 9th on the Mohs scale of hardness. Sapphires and Rubies are mined all around the world in places like Thailand, Australia, Vietnam, Cambodia, USA and Madagascar. 

Emerald is a variety of the mineral Beryl and are prized for their rich bluish-Green tones.