Precious gemstones are luxurious additions to jewellery which captivate the eyes. A beautiful way to symbolise your feelings to another, each vibrant precious gemstone can carry its own meaning. Gems are minerals mined for their beauty. Then cut and polished, these 4 stones are adored by many when showcased in jewellery.

Table of Contents:

• 4 Precious Gemstones List
• Precious vs Semi-Precious Stones: What's the Difference?
• Precious Gemstones & Birthstones
• Diamond Jewellery: Monica Vinader's Precious Gemstone
• Express Yourself with Vibrant Gemstones from Monica Vinader

4 Precious Gemstones List

Gemstones can be seen in all shapes and sizes. When it comes to precious gemstones there are only four which make the cut. These valuable, sought-after stones hold their own meaning and value. Which is why they are so popular!

The four precious gemstones are:

Diamond

Diamond jewellery is often referred to as a girl's best friend. It's easy to see why! As the hardest mineral substance on earth, the durability a diamond can bring will last a lifetime. In a pure form, a diamond is colourless, and can come in many different diamond shapes. But, as with all gems, diamonds have variations from colourless, near colourless and coloured. At Monica Vinader we use an H colour diamond, which is categorised as a near colourless gem.

Sapphire

Sapphires are also an elegant precious gemstone. They are the second toughest stone, after diamond. This precious gemstone is favoured by many for its beautiful blue shade. This gem belongs to the corundum mineral rock family. Within this set, all colours are considered sapphires except red. Although it is the deep blue which most are familiar with. They are a beautiful, statement addition to gold and silver rings. They can also be a popular choice for an engagement or promise ring.

Ruby

Rubies hold a captivating red colour, which can symbolise the colour of love. Rubies can feature in gold and silver bracelets, rings and gold and silver earrings. They are also commonly connected with 25th wedding anniversaries, perfect as a personalised gift. The gemstone itself is from the same family as the sapphire. Which shows how sought after these stones are from the corundum mineral rock family.

Emerald

The final of the four precious gemstones is the emerald. This dazzling gem is unique due to its rich green appearance. What makes this precious gemstone different is that it is more fragile. Ideal for a gold or silver pendant, the green takes centre stage dangling from gold and silver necklaces. Experts recommend avoiding exposing this gem to excessive amounts of moisture. Something to consider if this is your gem of choice.

Precious vs Semi-Precious Stones: What's the Difference?

In the 1800s, gems were first divided into precious and semi-precious gemstones. Within that time period, this division was a way to classify the rarity of the stone. If a stone was rare and had great craftsmanship it would typically be seen as a precious gemstone. This definition saw amethysts be classed as a precious gemstone for a short period, until a huge reserve was found. It is now seen as a semi-precious stone due to wide accessibility.

Semi-precious gemstones are still high-quality and can often be more rare than precious gemstones. Sought after, semi-precious gemstones include pearls, moonstones, and turquoise. All of which are beautifully set in a number of our pieces. In today's society, many valuers believe these terms have become commercialised. Although, it is still widely accepted and a good indication to classify high-quality stones.

Precious Gemstones & Birthstones

Precious gemstones and birthstones live in perfect harmony. Birthstones are gems which were assigned to the twelve months of the year to represent a different birth month. Old tales suggest these stones tie into various aspects of life. From health, money, luck and love. Although there is no scientific proof to back this. They can still hold sentiment to you. The meaning behind birthstone rings can bring you comfort every time you glance at your hand.

The four precious gemstones are included in the twelve birthstones. It is also common to see each month have more than one assigned to it. Which can be important to know when choosing a birthstone gift.

Traditionally, the four precious gemstones are associated with the following months:

• Diamond - April
• Emerald - May
• Ruby - July
• Sapphire - September

Our birthstone earrings, birthstone necklaces, birthstone rings, and birthstone bracelets are an elegant choice for gifting. Select the birthstone assigned to each month. Or simply choose your loved one's favourite colour gem. No matter the occasion, birthday or not, these stunning jewellery pieces are sure to be adored by those who adorn them.

Diamonds: Monica Vinader's Precious Gemstone

Diamonds are a sought after precious gemstone, due to their dazzling beauty and style. At Monica Vinader we only use ethical diamonds in our pieces, to help reduce the sales of conflict diamonds. This is one part of our quality promise to our customers.

There are four elements which are considered when buying everyday diamonds. They are also known as the 4 C's of diamonds. These factors are what diamond graders use to ensure your precious gemstone is of high-quality.These 4 C's refer to:

• Cut - the diamond cut refers to how the gem is polished and its facets
• Clarity - the diamond clarity refers to whether or not the stone has inclusion or blemishes
• Carat - diamond carat is the weight of the precious gemstone
• Colour - diamond colours range from traditional near-colourless to blue, yellow, or pink hues, these are split into categories named after letters

In our diamond collections you will find the H colour diamond. To the naked eye, this gemstone is near-colourless. You would only find a faint yellow hue if you were to place it under a microscope. Or by laying it next to a higher graded diamond. In diamond colour grading the categories are broken down into:

D/E/F = Colourless
G/H/I/J = Near colourless
K/L/M = Faint colouring
N/O/P/Q/R = Very light colouration
S/T/U/V/W/X/Y/Z = Light colouration

We are ensured that our suppliers meet high ethical standards and commit to the Kimberley Process. This is a certification which aims to follow a diamond from mine to market. In order to help reduce the trade of conflict diamonds. Another requirement we check is to see whether our suppliers adhere to The World Diamond Council's System of Warranties. This check ensures our gemstones meet the minimum requirement set out in the Kimberley Process.

How to Style Diamond Jewellery

Not just for those with a birthday in April, diamond gifts make a beautiful impact. With a range of designs available, everyone can sparkle in this precious gemstone.

• Chains - Diamond necklaces sit on the chest, making their mark as the stunning centrepiece to your outfit.
• Earrings - Whilst diamond earrings hang elegantly from the lobe, ideal for those with multiple piercings.
• Rings - For those with a love for diamond rings, the stone shimmers as it catches the light on your fingers.
• Bangles - For the ultimate touch, diamond bracelets create a stunning effect when adorned on the wrist.

There are no rules to showcase this precious gemstone. It comes down to personal preference. We're sure you'll adore every item you add to your jewellery box.

Express Yourself with Vibrant Gemstones from Monica Vinader

Precious gemstones make excellent jewellery options. Semi-precious jewellery can be an affordable, everyday option. You can harness the beauty of precious gemstones with designs of the same colour.

Here are some alternative options to precious gemstones to express yourself with:

• Green Onyx - Green onyx jewellery makes a wonderful substitute for emerald. Featuring the same, rich green colour, the stone makes an impressive statement. Symbolising protection, and representing the month of May. This stunning stone is ideal as cocktail rings.
• Rock Crystal - Rock crystal jewellery features the shimmer of colourless stone. These pieces symbolise energy and represent November. With subtle beauty, these pieces are a fabulous alternative to classic diamonds. Perfect to create a striking addition to your lobes with earring charms.
• Lapis Lazuli - The deep blue hues of lapis jewellery make a magical replacement for sapphires. Symbolising wisdom and representing the month of September. They make a charming addition as dangle earrings. Whilst the lighter, vibrant blues of turquoise and amazonite also make stunning choices.
• Pink Quartz - The eye-catching red of rubies is one of a kind. The romantic hues of pink quartz are just as inspiring. Symbolising resilience, and representing July. The stone packs a gorgeous punch! The pop of colour makes a special sentiment as a friendship bracelet.

As with precious gemstones, there is no wrong way to style these pieces. Layering gemstones together can create stunning jewellery moments to be desired. Opting for your favourite colour can make styling even more exciting. Choosing your birthstone means every outfit has a sentimental touch.

Sustainable Jewellery from Monica Vinader

At Monica Vinader, we combine modern jewellery designs with sustainability. With recycled metals and ethical stones, you'll find stacking bracelets and helix earrings to style endlessly.