Gemstone guide

Due to its natural warm colors - yellow, orange and brown tones - Amber is considered the stone of the sun capable of eliminating negative energy.

Amethyst, the violet variety of Quartz, ranges from purple and violet to pale red-violet and is the February birthstone. Ancient Greeks used to wear Amethyst believing that it prevents intoxication. The stone is also knonw for preventing/curing headaches, pancreatic disorders, and backaches.

Apatite's many colors range from transparent to translucent, green, yellow, blue to violet, pink, and brown. Apatite is found in a number of places in the world, including Myanmar (Burma), India, Kenya, Brazil, Norway, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Mexico, Canada and the United States. -The name 'apatite' was derived from a Greek word apate meaning 'deceit'.

Derived from an old Latin expression, the name Aquamarine refers to seawater blue, and its color ranges between a strong dark blue to a slightly greenish blue and its leading producer is Brazil. It is the official birthstone of the month of March, and is also said to help with arthritis, eye inflammation, sore throat and varicose veins.

Carnelian colors can range from yellowish orange to orange and from deep-red to brownish-red. - The most significant sources include Brazil, Uruguay, India, Madagascar and the United States. - Carnelian, also referred to as 'cornelian', was thought to have been named after the color of the cornel cherry. -Carnelian is known to protect its wearer from bad energy, as well as poverty.

The most common colors include blue-white, buff, light tan, gray, yellow, or brown. -Almost all of the United States is known to produce Chalcedony. -The actual name 'Chalcedony' originated from the latin word 'Chalcedonius'.-It is the official modern birthstone for December. -It encourages kindness, responsiveness, receptivity, generosity, charity and friendliness in those who wear it.

Multi-colored and multi-shaped, the word Crystal derives from the Ancient Greek word krustallos, meaning both "ice" and "rock crystal".

It is colorless but also comes in many colors. South Africa was once the largest producer of Diamonds, and has several famous localities.

Emeralds are a medium to darker green to blue-green and sometimes slightly yellowish-green beryl. -Colombia is the international center of emerald mining. -The name comes from the old French word esmeralde, which was derived from the Greek word smaragdos meaning 'green stone'. - Emerald is the official birthstone for May. -Emeralds promise good luck and enhances the well-being.

Garnet is available in a veritable plethora of colors, such as yellow, orange, peach, green, red, purple, blue (rare), brown and pink. The name "garnet" comes from the Medieval Latin word, granatum, which is an adjective meaning "dark-red". -Garnet is found all over the world. -It is the traditional birthstone for January. -Garnet is thought to promote successful business, encourage compassion and aid self-confidence.

Jade ranges in colour. It occurs in green, white, orange, yellow, lavender, grey and black. - This is where the name "jade" originated, since early Spanish explorers named it "piedra de ijada", meaning "stone for the pain in the side". -The main source of jade is Myanmar. -Jade is believed to allow its wearer to open their heart in readiness for love.

Jasper comes in all colors. -The name 'jasper' is derived from the Greek word for 'spotted stone'. -Jasper gemstones can be found in many locations around the world. -It is specifically used for relieving stomach pains and pancreatic disorders.

It is often gray in composition but when polished, dark gray Labradorite flashes with colors deep within, including blue, green and gold. -Labradorite is a gemstone that was named after Labrador in Canada. Labradorite enhances strength of will and feelings of inner worth. Labradorite is said to facilitate communication between the spiritual and physical world, helping its wearer to recall dreams and experiences from past lives.

Its colors can actually range from slightly green-ish blue to violet, medium to dark and from low to highly saturated. -It has been mined from Afghanistan. Its name was derived from the Latin word lapis meaning 'stone', and from the Arabic and Persian word lazaward.

Onyx has a black base and white upper layer, but may contain bands of various other colours between these layers. - Onyx deposits are found in countries all over the world. - Onyx takes its name from the Greek word onux, which means fingernail. - Onyx is said to help to release negative emotions and alleviate fear and anxiety.

Opal can occur in many colors including white, colorless, pale yellow, pale red, gray, brown and black. Opal is mostly located in Australia. - The name opal was probably derived from Sanskrit upala, meaning "valuable stone" or from the Greek word opallus which means to see a change in color. - Opal is an official birthstone for October. - It is said to be able to solve depression and to help its wearer find true and real love.

Colours of pearls include the following: White, pink, silver, cream, golden, green, blue and black. - Pearls are found and cultured in waters all over the world. - The name "pearl" is said to have originated from the Middle English word perle, which in turn came from the Latin word perna, meaning "leg". - Pearls are the birthstone for those born in June. - Pearls are perfect for brides because they represent purity, integrity and loyalty.

Peridot's color can vary from yellow-green and olive to brownish green. - It mostly found in Pakistan. - The name 'peridot' was derived from the Arabic word for gem - faridat.

Quartz crystals are the most common and plentiful in the world, and encompass a whole family of stones found all over the world in a variety of all colours. Rose Quartz is one of the most prominent types of Quartz and is typically a pale to deep reddish-pink, opaque to translucent. It's known to be the “stone of beauty and love", promoting compassion, appreciation and soothing calm.

Rhodolite garnets can be rose pink, purplish-pink, raspberry-red or purplish-red. The most desired color is raspberry red. - Rhodolite garnet deposits occur in Brazil, Burma, China, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Tanzania, the USA and Zimbabwe. - Rhodolite garnet gets its name from the Greek word, rhodon, meaning "rose colored". - Garnet is the traditional birthstone for January. It is said to have the ability to heal the blood and encourage good circulation.

Ruby's color is a strong pure red to red with a hint of blue and when the ruby is too light, it is classified as pink sapphire. Sources for ruby include Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. - Ruby is the birthstone for those born in July. - It is said to protect its wearer from injury and to cure blood disorders including menstrual pain and circulatory problems.

Blue is indeed the best-known and the most valuable of sapphire colors. - The three most famous regions for blue sapphire are Kashmir, Burma and Sri Lanka. - Sapphire comes from the Persian word safir. - Sapphire is the birthstone for September. -It is thought to bring peace, joy and wisdom to its wearer.

Colors are vivid ruby-like red, followed by cobalt blue, bright pink and bright orange. - Spinel is found in Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand. - The name spinel is thought to have come from the Latin word, spina, meaning thorn. - It is thought to encourage renewal and healing

Topaz ranges from colorless (white) to yellow, orange, red-brown, light to dark-blue, pink to red, violet and light-green. -This stone can be found worldwide. - Topaz is a Middle English word, which was acquired from the Old French word Topace and Latin Topazus. - Topaz is the birthstone for those born in November and December. - It is known to increase the strength of the wearer and even provide invisibility in desperate times.

Tourmaline can occur in a wide range of colors from colorless to black. - Its name is thought to be derived from the Sinhalese word, turamali, which means "stone with various colors". - It is found in all over the world. -It is a birthstone for those born in October. Tourmaline is said to be a powerful detoxification stone that invites positive energy.

Turquoise is the only gemstone that has a color named after it. - The best quality turquoise is located in Northeast Iran. - The name "turquoise" comes from the French turqueise, meaning "Turkish stone". - Turquoise is the traditional birthstone for December. -Turquoise is believed to offer protection and to be helpful for careers and travel.

Zircon in its purest form is completely colorless, including yellow, orange, red, green, blue, violet, brown and combinations in between. -Its sources include Brazil, Korea, Madagascar, and more. -It is derived from the Persian word zargun which means "gold-colored". -Zircon is an official birthstone for December. - Zircon was said to aid sleep, bring prosperity, and promote honor and wisdom in its owner.