Gemstone Guide - Understanding Sapphires, Emeralds & Rubies.
Investing in Meaningful Beauty.
For centuries, Sapphires, Emeralds, and Rubies have captivated collectors, royalty, and jewellery connoisseurs alike. These Gemstones are more than just ornaments; they are legacies of the earth, each telling a story of history, power, beauty and personal meaning.
The Graduate® & The Princess® collections, take pride in the careful selection and setting of these precious stones. This guide explores the unique characteristics, symbolism and value of Sapphires, Emeralds and Rubies, helping you make informed, heartfelt and inspired choices when selecting fine Gemstone Jewellery.
Highlighting the unique features of Sapphire, Emerald & Ruby Jewellery.
Collectively, Sapphires, Emeralds and Rubies enrich Jewellery with vibrant colours and deep meaning. Each Gemstone's unique qualities make them highly prized and perfectly suited to various Jewellery styles, occasions and individual personalities. Sapphire Jewellery is favoured for its elegance and durability, Emerald Jewellery captivates with its vibrant individuality, and Ruby Jewellery enthrals with passionate intensity.
Choosing Jewellery adorned with any of these Gemstones offers more than aesthetic appeal; it connects the wearer to rich histories, powerful symbolism and unparalleled beauty. Whether seeking the wisdom encapsulated in a Sapphire, the renewal represented by an Emerald, or the fiery passion of a Ruby, each choice embodies a timeless tradition and exceptional charm.
Sapphires: The Jewel of Wisdom and Loyalty.
Sapphires, most famously recognised for their velvety deep blue tones, represent wisdom, nobility and faithfulness. This Gemstone has long been regarded as a regal choice, prominently featured in royal collections throughout history. Its allure was so potent that medieval kings often wore Sapphires believing they would protect them from harm and envy.
Sapphires are most commonly associated with a rich royal blue, but many overlook the Sapphire’s surprising variety. While the rich blue Sapphire is iconic, this Gem also comes in an entire spectrum of colours—excluding red. Blue Sapphires from Kashmir, Sri Lanka and Myanmar are among the most revered in the world. Each region contributes subtle variations in hue and brilliance that impact both desirability and price. In recent years, Madagascar has emerged as a significant source of fine Sapphires, with their clarity and intense saturation rivalling more traditional origins.
The Graduate®, Sapphires are graduated in size and tone to create harmonious, flowing designs that enhance their beauty while ensuring practical durability for everyday luxury.
Emeralds: The Stone of Renewal and Individuality.
Emeralds are renowned for their unmistakable lush green hue, evoking nature, vitality and new beginnings. Symbolising renewal, prosperity and spiritual insight, Emeralds have fascinated cultures throughout history, from ancient Incas to Egyptian royalty. Cleopatra herself was famously enamoured with Emeralds, and her treasury was filled with these precious Gems believed to grant foresight and fertility.
Unlike Sapphires and Rubies, Emeralds are typically characterised by their natural inclusions, often called “Jardin,” the French word for garden. These internal features are not flaws but rather part of the stone’s natural fingerprint. They enhance the Gem’s character, offering depth and individuality. No two Emeralds are ever exactly alike, making Emerald-set Jewellery uniquely personal and poetic.
The Graduate®, Emeralds are expertly graduated in saturation and tone, highlighting their calming green tones, while honouring the Gemstone’s regal heritage.
Rubies: The Flame of Passion and Courage.
Rubies, with their striking red hues, symbolise passion, courage and the essence of life. These fiery Gemstones have long been associated with intense emotion and enduring love. Ancient warriors believed Rubies granted invincibility in battle, while others wore them as talismans for protection and vitality. In Eastern cultures, Rubies were thought to contain the very essence of life itself.
The spectrum of Ruby colour spans from soft pinkish reds to vivid, rich crimson tones. The finest Rubies, often described as “pigeon blood” red, are among the most valuable and sought-after Gemstones in the world.
Myanmar has long been the traditional source of the world’s most exquisite Rubies, though high-quality stones are also found in Mozambique, Thailand and Vietnam.
The Graduate®, Rubies are expertly graduated in scale and tone, celebrating the stone’s fiery energy through precise craftsmanship and refined setting.
Setting Styles That Elevate Each Stone
The setting of a Gemstone can enhance its natural characteristics or introduce contrast and tension for visual interest.
Sapphires often shine brightest in white metals such as Platinum or White Gold, especially when surrounded by Diamonds for a timeless halo or graduated setting.
Emeralds are beautifully complemented by Yellow Gold, which amplifies their warm undertones and reinforces their antique charm.
Rubies, with their rich red hue, adapt elegantly to both yellow and white metals, and often benefit from minimalist settings that allow the colour to dominate.
Conclusion: More Than Just Jewellery
Sapphires, Emeralds & Rubies are not just Gemstones; they are markers of moments, carriers of sentiment and symbols of values. Whether purchased as a personal reward, a declaration of love, or a future heirloom, these stones speak louder than words.
Explore the Graduate® and Princess® collections to find the Gemstone that resonates with your story. In every facet, let your jewellery reflect who you are, timeless, rare and extraordinary.