The Gemstone Guide
Every gemstone tells a story ✨
For centuries, gemstones have been treasured for their beauty, rarity and symbolism. 💫✨Whether set in a vintage engagement ring, a timeless pendant or a pair of elegant earrings, each gemstone has its own unique history and character.
This guide introduces some of the world’s most treasured gemstones, helping you appreciate the craftsmanship, beauty and individuality behind every piece of vintage jewellery.💫
Understanding Gemstone Durability
Not all gemstones are created equal. Some are naturally harder than others, making them better suited to everyday wear.
Gemmologists use something called the Mohs Hardness Scale to measure how resistant a gemstone is to scratching. The scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 being the hardest. However, hardness doesn’t mean a gemstone can’t chip or crack if knocked, so every piece of jewellery should still be worn with care.
Diamond 💎 ✨
The world’s hardest natural gemstone, diamonds have long symbolised love, strength and enduring commitment. Their remarkable brilliance and timeless beauty have made them one of the most sought-after gemstones for centuries.
Birthstone: April
Common Colours: Colourless, yellow, pink, blue, green and black.
Durability: Excellent for everyday
Emerald ✨
Admired for their rich green colour, emeralds have been treasured for thousands of years and were once favoured by royalty. Most natural emeralds contain tiny inclusions, often referred to as the stone’s “garden”, making every gemstone beautifully unique.
Birthstone: May
Common Colours: Deep green to bluish green.
Durability: Suitable for regular wear, although care should be taken to avoid hard knocks.
Ruby: 🌹
Rubies are among the world’s most precious gemstones, celebrated for their vibrant red colour and exceptional rarity. Throughout history they have represented passion, courage and prosperity.
Birthstone: July
Common Colours: Pinkish red to deep crimson.
Durability: Excellent for everyday wear.
Sapphire 💍
Although best known for their rich royal blue colour, sapphires naturally occur in almost every colour except red. Their outstanding durability makes them an ideal choice for jewellery worn every day.
Birthstone: September
Common Colours: Blue, pink, yellow, green, white and purple.
Durability: Excellent for everyday wear.
Amethyst 💜
A beautiful variety of quartz, amethyst is admired for its elegant violet hues and has been worn in jewellery for centuries.
Birthstone: February
Common Colours: Pale lilac to deep purple.
Durability: Suitable for regular wear with normal care.
Garnet 🍒
Known for its rich, warm colours, garnet has been used in jewellery since ancient times. While deep red is the most recognised variety, garnets occur in a surprising range of colours.
Birthstone: January
Common Colours: Deep red, orange, green, pink and purple.
Durability: Suitable for regular wear, but should be protected from heavy impact.
Pearl 🤍
Unlike most gemstones, pearls are created naturally within oysters and mussels. Their soft, luminous beauty has made them a timeless symbol of elegance.
Birthstone: June
Common Colours: White, cream, silver, pink, gold and black.
Durability: Delicate and best suited to occasional wear.
Opal ✨
No two opals are ever alike. Their remarkable flashes of colour create a mesmerising display that changes beautifully as the light moves across the stone.
Birthstone: October
Common Colours: White, black, crystal and fire opal.
Durability: Delicate and requires gentle handling.
Topaz 💫
Topaz is admired for its exceptional clarity and beautiful range of colours. While blue is the most recognised, natural topaz can also be found in golden, pink and colourless shades.
Birthstone: November
Common Colours: Blue, golden, pink, white and champagne.
Durability: Very durable and suitable for everyday wear.
Aquamarine 🌊
Named after the Latin words for “sea water”, aquamarine is loved for its tranquil blue colour and timeless elegance.
Birthstone: March
Common Colours: Pale blue to blue-green.
Durability: Suitable for regular wear.
Citrine 🍊
Citrine is cherished for its warm golden tones that range from soft yellow to rich amber. Its cheerful colour has made it a favourite gemstone for generations.
Birthstone: November
Common Colours: Pale yellow, honey and deep amber.
Durability: Suitable for regular wear with normal care.
Caring for Your Gemstones
Vintage jewellery has already stood the test of time. With thoughtful care, it can continue to be cherished for generations to come.
Everyday Care
- Clean your jewellery using warm water, a small amount of mild washing-up liquid and a soft toothbrush.
- Dry thoroughly with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Remove jewellery before swimming, exercising or using household cleaning products.
- Apply perfumes, lotions and hairspray before putting on your jewellery.
Extra Care for Delicate Gemstones
Some gemstones benefit from a little extra attention.
- Pearls should be wiped with a soft cloth after wearing and kept away from perfumes, cosmetics and harsh chemicals.
- Opals dislike sudden changes in temperature and should never be exposed to prolonged dryness or harsh cleaning products.
- Emeralds should be protected from hard knocks, as their natural inclusions make them more susceptible to chipping.
Storing Your Jewellery 🤍✨
Store each piece separately in a soft pouch or lined jewellery box to help prevent scratches. Fasten necklaces before storing to reduce tangling, and keep jewellery away from excessive heat, moisture and direct sunlight.
A Piece With a Past ⏳
One of the joys of owning vintage jewellery is its history. Gentle signs of age, natural inclusions and subtle characteristics are not imperfections—they’re part of the story that makes every piece unique.
At L’AURUM Vintage, every gemstone is carefully inspected and every piece is chosen for its beauty, craftsmanship and lasting quality, ready to become part of your story before one day being passed on to the next generation.
L’AURUM Xxx