All About Gemstones Blog
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Real vs Fake Ruby: How to Spot the Difference
Rubies are one of the most sought-after gemstones, prized for their rich red colour and long history in jewellery. But their popularity and high price tag mean they’re frequently imitated or mis-sold due to misidentification. So if you’ve ever wondered how to tell if a ruby is real or fake, you’re not alone. While professional laboratory testing is sometimes needed…
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Lapis Lazuli Myths and Legends
Lapis lazuli has captivated people for thousands of years. With its deep celestial blue and flecks of golden pyrite that sparkle like tiny stars, it’s easy to see why ancient cultures connected this stone with the heavens. Kings wore it, priests revered it, artists ground it into precious pigment, and storytellers wove it into myths that still echo today. Let’s…
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August’s Birthstone: Spinel
August is a month of golden light, slow sunsets, and that soft shift between high summer and the first hints of change. It carries both warmth and quiet depth. This layered, glowing energy is beautifully reflected in spinel, August’s newest official birthstone. With its incredible range of colours and long, often misunderstood history, spinel offers something a little different for…
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9 Coloured Gemstones for Everyday Rings
Choosing coloured gemstones for everyday wear rings requires a slightly different approach than sourcing stones for earrings, pendants or even occasional rings. Everyday rings take more knocks than almost any other type of jewellery, so durability needs to be considered from the very start of the design process. If you are creating rings intended for daily wear, prioritise: The below…
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The Symbolic & Spiritual Meanings of Lapis Lazuli Crystals
Lapis lazuli, with its deep celestial blue scattered with golden flecks, has been admired for thousands of years. Often associated with royalty and ancient knowledge, it carries a rich, thoughtful energy that feels both grounding and expansive. Many are drawn to lapis lazuli for its connection to inner truth, clear communication, and a deeper understanding of both themselves and the…
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7 Ancient Egyptian Gemstone Combinations and Their Meanings
Ancient Egypt was a civilisation where beauty and belief were closely intertwined. Jewellery was never just decorative. Many pieces, especially amulets, were created with purpose, offering protection, guidance, and a connection to the divine. They were worn by people across all levels of society, from pharaohs to everyday individuals. And while materials varied depending on wealth, the intention behind them…
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August’s Birthstone: Peridot
August is a month of golden sunlight, warm evenings, and late summer abundance. It’s soft, glowing energy produces both lively and relaxed feeling. This gentle, sunlit atmosphere is beautifully reflected in peridot, one of the official birthstone for August. Its bright, lively colour and ancient symbolism make it a perfect match for the height of summer. Why Peridot is August’s…
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A Jeweller’s Guide to Lapis Lazuli
Lapis lazuli is one of the oldest and most recognisable gemstones in the world. Its deep royal blue colour, often flecked with golden pyrite, has been prized for thousands of years in jewellery, carvings, and decorative objects. Unlike many modern faceted stones, lapis offers a rich, velvety colour that feels both historic and luxurious, making it a favourite for statement…
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8 Winter Gemstones: Cool Tones and Gentle Sparkle
Winter is a season of stillness, reflection, and quiet beauty. Frost settles across the landscape, daylight softens, and the world takes on a cooler, more muted palette. Jewellery often follows suit, shifting towards icy tones, crisp sparkle, and stones that feel calm, clear, or gently glowing against winter fabrics. Whether you are designing a winter collection, or are simply drawn…
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What is gemstone cleavage, and why does it matter?
If you spend any time reading gemstone descriptions, you’ll eventually come across the word cleavage. It is one of those terms that sounds a bit dramatic, but in gemology it has a very specific and very practical meaning. Cleavage is not about how a gemstone looks. It is about how it breaks, and for jewelers that can make a big…