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Agate
The agate obtains its typical banded appearance through the deposition of other quartz substances within the layers. It enjoyed a high reputation as a protective stone in the ancient world. The tradition still holds strong today as agate is widely used in spiritual healing, believed to balance and harmonise the body and mind.

 

Amazonite
Legend has it that this stone was named by the South American Indians in the 18th century who said it came from a land of women without men and so called it “amazon stone”. Formerly amazonite was mined almost exclusively in Russia, but Colorado in the USA is now a major source. Amazonite is a member of the feldspar family and owes its greeny-blue colour to copper deposits. It is believed to encourage self-determination and encourage the wearer to take charge of his or her own life by encouraging clear thinking.

Amber
Amber was believed to be a powerful talisman by the Vikings. Stories of the magical powers of this fossilised tree resin, washed up on the shores of the Baltic, go back to pre-historic times. The tiny flaws contained within amber are known as inclusions and are evidence of organic matter - some rare specimens containing insects are extremely valuable as most of the world's amber is in the range of 30–90 million years old.  Amber is believed to encourage creativity and encourage a sunny nature, as well as protecting the wearer from negativity.

Amethyst
The stone of contentment, said to bestow stability, serenity and peace. Amethyst belongs to the quartz family and its variation in colour is largely due to the traces of iron it contains. Amethyst was highly prized in antiquity for its calming effect and the name derived from the Greek amethustos or “non-inebriated”. It is often used as a meditation stone to help quieten the mind and as an aid to finding inner peace.
Amethyst is also the birthstone for February.

 

Chalcedony
A variety of the quartz family, chalcedony can either be blue, green or pink in colour. Considered a sacred stone in some cultures, chalcedony is thought to nurture and create goodwill in relationships. The name is derived from the ancient Greek town of Chalkedon in Asia Minor.

 

Citrine
Citrine is a variety of quartz. In ancient times it was believed to strengthen the intellect while in modern spiritual healing it is thought to fortify the nerves, aid digestion and encourage self-confidence.
Citrine is one of two traditional birthstones for the month of November, the other being Topaz.

Cornelian
A stone from the quartz family, cornelian is found all over the world but it is widely held that the best stones come from India. The name is derived from the Latin word for horn. Cornelian is said to help the wearer “live in the moment” as well as restoring the natural energy flow of the body.

Diamond
Diamonds are formed at depths of around one hundred miles beneath the Earth’s surface and, as pure carbon, is the hardest mineral known to man. The name diamond is derived from the Greek adamas meaning “invincible” - since ancient times it has symbolised strength and invulnerability. Highly prized due to its rarity and purity, the characteristic fire and brilliance of the diamond has made it the most desirable of gemstones in jewellery.
As the birthstone for April it represents eternity and abundance.

Freshwater Pearls
These are natural pearls that are formed inside a freshwater mussel. The pearls grow in a baroque or irregular shape as distinct from their rounded saltwater cousins, known as cultured pearls. In ancient mythology pearls were thought to be heavenly dewdrops caught by shells rising from the sea bed. Believed to be sacred to the Roman moon goddess Diana.
Pearl is the birthstone for June and is thought to symbolise peace, beauty and friendship.

Garnet
The name garnet is believed to have derived from the Latin granatum, meaning pomegranate and referring to its deep red coloured seeds. Garnet has been used in jewellery since ancient times and was thought to have great curative powers, protecting the wearer from harm. It is believed that garnet energises the emotions, promoting confidence and strength of character.
Garnet is also the birthstone for January, symbolising eternity and truth.

Gold
Gold has signified wealth and status since ancient times and may have been the first metal used by man in ornamentation and ritual. Because of the softness of pure gold (24 carat), it is usually alloyed with base metals for use in jewellery in order to make it more durable. The high price of gold is due to its rarity. Only three parts out of every billion in the Earth's crust is gold. In mythology gold has long been associated with the Sun and is believed to bestow vitality on the wearer. The Latin word for gold – aurum – derives from Aurora the Greek goddess of the dawn.

Our gold-filled jewellery is made using fourteen carat gold. It is composed of a solid layer of fourteen carat gold, bonded by means of heat and pressure onto a base metal such as brass or copper. The gold layer is at least fifty times thicker than that used on a gold-plated item. Gold filled jewellery usually looks like gold and is usually very hard wearing. It is sometimes referred to as rolled gold.

Hematite
The name hematite is derived from the Greek word for blood (haima). It can sometimes be red in colour as well as metallic grey. Hematite is the mineral form of iron-oxide and this link with iron has led to its reputation as a stone which strengthens the will and bestows vitality. Its popularity in jewellery reached a peak in the Victorian era.

Jade
An ancient stone, jade has been seen as a good luck charm for thousands of years, especially in the East and when worn as jewellery. Spiritually jade is thought to encourage self-realisation. Lavender jade, formed through the presence of manganese in the mineral, is believed to bestow inner peace on the wearer.

Jasper
The name means "spotted stone", and is derived ultimately from the Persian yashp. Jasper can appear in many guises due to mineral impurities. These may take the form of banding or patterns which give rise to varieties such as leopardskin jasper and picture jasper. Jasper is the gemstone of the Rooster from the Chinese Zodiac.

Labradorite
Gains its wonderful iridescent colours from a mineral structure which bends incoming light. Labradorite was found for the first time in 1770 on the Labrador Peninsula in Canada. Known as a power stone, it is believed to build inner strength and conviction, as well as bestowing depth of feeling.

Mother-of-Pearl
Formed from the iridescent inside of a pearl oyster, mother-of-pearl is believed to carry the gentle healing power of the sea, relaxing and soothing the emotions. Symbolising abundance and prosperity in mythology, it has been used for centuries in areas as diverse as musical instruments and buttons on clothing, as well as in jewellery.

Onyx
Valued for its strong lustre and colour, onyx has been used in jewellery and ornamentation since pre-historic times. It is a type of chalcedony and is coloured black through the presence of iron and carbon. Wearing onyx is thought to bring self-mastery, confidence and assertiveness.

Peridot
Deriving from the Arabic faridat, meaning gem, peridot was used in ancient Egypt as a stone for jewellery. It is said to alleviate anxiety and fear and to relieve insomnia.
Peridot is thought to bring joy and good fortune as the birthstone for August.

Prehnite
Prehnite was not discovered until the end of the eighteenth century in South Africa by Colonel Von Prehn, an early Dutch governor of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. It was the first mineral to be named after a person. Prehnite is believed to improve mental sharpness and to help dissolve unpleasant memories.

Rose Quartz
For centuries rose quartz has been considered to be a fertility crystal. Known as the “love stone”, it is thought to attract and strengthen love as well as heal emotional wounds. Most rose quartz is mined in Brazil.

Silver
Silver is a highly malleable metal with a brilliant white metallic lustre that can take a high degree of polishing. This has led to its huge popularity in jewellery where it is combined with copper to make it more durable. This alloy has been known as “sterling silver” since the 13th century. The minimum fineness of silver allowable in sterling silver is 92.5% which gives rise to the term “925”. Since ancient times, silver has been closely associated with the moon and lunar influences. Diana the Roman goddess of the moon hunted with a silver bow.

Smoky Quartz
A member of the quartz family this stone obtains its brown colour from traces of aluminium within the mineral. It is believed to have a relaxing effect on the wearer as well as increasing tolerance to stress and reducing negative emotions.

Sodalite
Named because of its high sodium content, sodalite was discovered in Greenland in 1806. It is believed to encourage idealism and the drive for truth. In spiritual healing it is thought to purify the aura and to protect from negative energy.

Tiger’s Eye
A member of the quartz family, tiger’s eye has a fibrous composition which creates a silken sheen giving rise to its name. In ancient times tiger’s eye was used to make amulets that protected the wearer against spells. It is now believed to help maintain a balanced view on life and to combat stress by enabling the wearer to gain courage and confidence.

Topaz
The name topaz is derived from the Sanskrit word tapas. In ancient cultures topaz was considered to be the stone of Jupiter, representing rule over one’s own life, self-realisation and wisdom. When heated, yellow topaz often becomes reddish-pink. Topaz is said to promote peaceful and calm emotions.
It is one of two traditional birthstones for the month of November, the other being Citrine.

Tourmaline
Thought to bring balance and focus to the wearer, tourmaline was known in Arabic traditions as a stone that strengthened the heart and protected the wearer from nightmares. Tourmaline has a wide variety of colours from black to pink and green. Today gem quality tourmaline is mined chiefly in Brazil and Africa.

Turquoise
Named after Turkey where European crusaders first came into contact with the stone in medieval times. In many cultures, turquoise was valued as a protection against evil spirits and was worn as an amulet for strength and prosperity. It is particularly valued in the Native American community and made into beautiful jewellery, often combined with silver.
Turquoise is the birthstone for December.