Moonstone
Moonstone is an opalescent and transparent gem that falls in the Feldspar family – a group of rock-forming tectosilicate minerals that make up about 41% of the Earth’s continental crust by weight. The best way to describe it: a raindrop in the moonlight. Moonstone occurs in fine shades of white, grey, blue, and peach or yellow. Some…
Labradorite
Labradorite/Spectrolite Even though Labradorite is not the most precious of gemstones it is in my humble opinion, the most beautiful! If you can imagine the wings of a tropical butterfly, that is the magnificence of this marvellous stone! Labradorite is sodium-rich Feldspar that when light strikes the stone from a particular angle, displays striking rainbow-coloured…
Gold
The cause of wars, famine and murder, the source of many conflicts stemming from greed; yet Gold has always been desired and cherished by humans. This highly malleable metal has been the foundation of many ancient and modern cultures, from the ancient Aztecs and the ruins at Greater Zimbabwe through to North America, Johannesburg and…
Tanzanite
This beautiful blue-purple stone has a short but rich history. Tanzanite was first discovered in 1967 in the Merelani Hills of Mount Kilimanjaro by Massai cattle herders. After a fire caused by lighting, they noticed that brown Zoisite crystals turned a deep blue-purple colour. When the New York jeweller, Louis Tiffany, was presented with the first…
Jewellery Scams: Why You Should Not Buy Jewellery Sold On The Street
After a recent encounter with an honest gentleman who got taken for an expensive ride, I feel it necessary to share with you ‘what not to do’ should you be approached on the street, in a shopping center or other random place to purchase jewellery or stones of any form or type. Decline the offer,…
Citrine
This sunny, happy stone is a member of the quarts family, and is basically the yellow to orange-brown variant that grows in conjunction with Amethyst. Natural Citrine is actually rare; most gems on the market are Amethyst (purple) that has been heat-treated to turn yellow. “Celtic Love”. Citrine set in 9ct…
Ruby
Symbolizing wealth, joy, love and power, the Ruby has always been cherished and desired by people throughout the world. They are offered to Buddha in China, Krishna in India, and are closely associated with dragons in western mythology. Ancient Hindus called the stone the “King of Gems” and believed it radiated a warmth and luminosity from…
Aquamarine
A variety of Beryl, this blue to sea-green stone’s name actually means ‘sea water’ in Latin. In the 19th century the sea- green variety was the most popular, however, today the blue colour is the most sought after Aquamarine. Aquamarine is often confused with Topaz, but Aquamarine usually has a softer blue and lack any…
Opal
“With the fire of carbuncle, the brilliant purple of amethyst and the sea green colour of the emerald, all shining together in incredible union”; these are the words used by Pliny the Elder (23-79AD) in the world’s first Encyclopaedia, and possibly the best description of this beautiful gem stone. In ancient times this precious gem…
Pearls: The Tears of the Gods
Pearls are the essence of hope, faith, and the ability to make the best of the situation you are in. It is an organic gem that is formed when an irritant (usually a grain of sand) enters a mollusc (shellfish). The oyster or mollusc coats the irritant with layers of nacre, also known as mother…
