Aquamarine
Aquamarine, with its serene sea-blue hues, has a history as captivating as the ocean it resembles. This gem is a blue to blue-green variety of the mineral beryl, the same family that includes emeralds. Its name comes from the Latin words “aqua marina,” meaning “water of the sea,” a nod to its tranquil color that evokes images of clear waters.
Aquamarine has been cherished for centuries. In ancient times, sailors believed it was a treasure of the mermaids and carried it as a talisman for protection and safe passage across stormy seas. In the Middle Ages, it was thought to have the power to rekindle the love of married couples, and it was often used in jewelry and amulets.
Historically, aquamarine has been mined in places like Brazil, which remains the largest producer, as well as in Africa, Asia, and even the United States. It has adorned the crowns of royalty and been a favorite among jewelers for its clarity and range of blue shades, from the palest sky blue to deeper oceanic tones.
Today, aquamarine is the birthstone for March and continues to be celebrated for its calming beauty and timeless elegance.
Garnet
Garnet is one of the world’s oldest known gemstones, with a history that stretches back more than 5,000 years. It has been cherished by civilizations around the globe, from the ancient Egyptians and Romans to medieval European royalty. The name “garnet” comes from the Latin word “granatus,” meaning “seed-like,” a reference to its resemblance to the bright red seeds of the pomegranate.
Throughout history, garnets have been prized not just for their beauty but also for their supposed protective and healing properties. They were often used as talismans by warriors heading into battle or travelers seeking safe passage. Garnets have been discovered in Bronze Age burial sites, adorning pharaohs’ jewelry in ancient Egypt, and in the jewelry of Roman nobles.
Garnet is actually a group of closely related minerals that come in a variety of colors, including the classic deep red, vibrant green (like tsavorite), orange, and even rare blues. Each type of garnet has its own unique charm and appeal, ensuring the gemstone’s enduring popularity through the ages.
Peridot
Peridot is a gemstone with a history as vibrant as its signature lime-green color. Known as one of the few gemstones that occurs in only one color—albeit in varying shades of green—peridot has been treasured for thousands of years. Its history dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was mined on the Red Sea island of Zabargad (also known as St. John’s Island) over 3,500 years ago. The Egyptians called it the “gem of the sun” because of its radiant green glow, which they believed protected its wearer from terrors of the night.
Peridot has also been found in ancient Roman jewelry, and it became popular in medieval Europe, often adorning church treasures and religious objects. Interestingly, some historians believe that Cleopatra’s famous “emeralds” were actually peridots.
Formed deep within the Earth’s mantle and brought to the surface by volcanic activity, peridot is often associated with light and warmth. It’s also one of the few gemstones that have been found in meteorites, adding a touch of celestial mystery to its allure.
Today, peridot is cherished not only for its beautiful green hues but also for its long and colorful history. It’s the birthstone for August and continues to be a symbol of vitality and renewal.
Sapphire
Sapphires have been cherished for thousands of years and are one of the most historically significant gemstones. In ancient times, they were associated with royalty and divine favor. For instance, in the Middle Ages, sapphires were thought to protect their wearers from envy and harm. Kings often wore them as a symbol of wisdom and to gain divine favor. The gemstone has also been linked to the heavens because of its blue color, often symbolizing the sky.
Sapphires are a variety of the mineral corundum, and while they are typically blue, they actually come in almost every color except red (since a red corundum is classified as a ruby). The most prized sapphires historically have been the deep blue ones, especially those from places like Kashmir, Burma, and Sri Lanka.
Over centuries, sapphires have been used in all sorts of significant pieces of jewelry, from royal crowns to engagement rings. In modern times, they remain a favorite for their beauty and durability. So, in a nutshell, sapphires have a rich history of being treasured across many cultures and eras.
Tanzanite
Tanzanite is a gemstone with a relatively recent but incredibly fascinating history. Unlike many other gemstones that have been known for thousands of years, tanzanite was only discovered in 1967. It was found in a very small area in northern Tanzania, near Mount Kilimanjaro. This single geographic origin makes tanzanite one of the most unique and rare gemstones in the world.
The discovery is credited to a Maasai tribesman who stumbled upon the striking blue crystals. Initially, they were thought to be sapphires, but they were soon identified as a new variety of the mineral zoisite. Tiffany & Co., recognizing the gem’s potential, named it “tanzanite” after its country of origin and introduced it to the world in 1968.
Tanzanite’s vivid blue-violet color, which can shift depending on the angle of light, quickly captivated the jewelry market. It became a modern favorite almost overnight and remains highly sought after for its rarity and unique origin. Since it’s only found in one small region of Tanzania, tanzanite is considered about a thousand times rarer than diamonds. Its limited supply adds to its allure and value, making it a true treasure of the modern gem world.
Tsavorite
Tsavorite, a stunning green variety of grossular garnet, was first discovered in the late 1960s. The gemstone was named after the Tsavo National Park in Kenya, near the area where it was found by Scottish geologist Campbell Bridges. Bridges, who was captivated by the gem’s intense green hue, played a key role in bringing tsavorite to the world’s attention.
Introduced to the market by Tiffany & Co. in 1974, tsavorite quickly gained a reputation as a vibrant and durable alternative to emerald. Unlike many other green gemstones, tsavorite is rarely treated or enhanced, making it highly sought after by collectors and gem enthusiasts. Today, tsavorite remains a beloved gemstone, celebrated for its natural beauty, rich color, and fascinating African heritage.
Tourmaline
Tourmaline is a gemstone with a rich and colorful history that spans cultures and centuries. Its name comes from the Sinhalese word “tormali,” which means “mixed gems,” reflecting the stone’s incredible variety of colors. First discovered by European traders off the coast of Sri Lanka in the early 1700s, tourmaline was often mistaken for other gemstones like emeralds and sapphires due to its wide color range.
What makes tourmaline unique is its ability to display almost every hue imaginable, from vibrant greens and blues to pinks, reds, and even bi-colored or tri-colored crystals. The discovery of the rare and electric-blue Paraíba tourmaline in Brazil in the 1980s brought newfound fame to the gem, making it one of the most sought-after varieties.
Throughout history, tourmaline has been cherished not only for its beauty but also for its supposed metaphysical properties. It was believed to inspire creativity, protect against negative energy, and even help with emotional healing. Today, tourmaline remains a beloved gemstone for collectors and jewelry enthusiasts, celebrated for its dazzling colors and fascinating history.
Ziron
Zircon is one of the oldest minerals on Earth, with a history that stretches back over 4 billion years. This ancient gemstone has been found in some of the oldest rock formations on the planet, making it a tiny time capsule of Earth’s early history. Valued for its brilliance and wide range of colors, zircon has been used in jewelry for thousands of years, from ancient times through the Middle Ages and into the modern era.
In the 19th century, zircon gained popularity as a diamond alternative because of its strong luster and fire. Among its many color variations, blue zircon—often heat-treated to achieve its vivid hue—has been especially prized. Zircon is also notable for its high refractive index, which gives it a brilliance comparable to many other precious stones.
Today, zircon continues to be cherished not only for its ancient origins but also for its timeless beauty, making it a favorite among gem enthusiasts and jewelers around the world.