Gemstone jewelry has lengthy been cherished for its color, sparkle and sense of which means – to not point out the contact of luxurious it brings to any outfit. Whether or not you are drawn to daring assertion items or dainty designs, there’s one thing really particular about sporting lovely stones that talk to your persona or inform a narrative.
However for those who’ve ever discovered your self questioning what gemstone jewelry truly is (and whether or not some stones are ‘higher’ than others), you are not alone. Add in complicated phrases like ‘treasured’ and ‘semi-precious’ – to not point out questions on gemstone ethics and sourcing – and it is simple to really feel a bit misplaced whenever you’re attempting to decide on a bit you will love for years to return.
As an Australian jewelry designer with many years of expertise, I’ve labored with all types of gems. I’ve additionally developed some sturdy opinions in regards to the business’s outdated classifications and the significance of moral sourcing.
On this article, I am going to stroll you thru what you really want to learn about gemstone jewelry, from the terminology to the values that form the alternatives I make when creating our Australian jewelry designs.
When you’re interested by gemstone jewelry, wish to store extra thoughtfully, or simply love lovely stones, you are in the best place. Let’s dive in …
What’s Gemstone Jewelry?
Gemstone jewelry is strictly what it appears like: jewelry made with gems as a function, maybe as a set stone or as beading. Discover examples of silver gemstone jewelry together with gold gemstone jewelry in our on-line retailer.
When you begin trying into it, you will shortly uncover that the world of gems is a surprisingly complicated one – and it is stuffed with misconceptions.
One of the crucial frequent (and, frankly, unhelpful) distinctions is between so-called treasured stones and semi-precious stones. The ‘treasured’ label is historically reserved just for diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. Nevertheless, it is a very outdated and unscientific manner to have a look at gems – and I am not a fan!
There are various so-called ‘semi-precious’ stones which are rarer or extra helpful than these 4. There additionally is not an particularly clear distinction between some treasured and semi-precious stones. For instance, emeralds and aquamarines are each forms of beryl gems, however solely emeralds get the ‘treasured’ label. Why? No actual purpose …
Actually, I feel it is a foolish and out-dated distinction! I a lot desire to deal with the magnificence, applicable use and moral sourcing of stones reasonably than these old school and poorly thought of classifications.
When you’re curious to dig deeper into this, we break it down in additional element over in our Jewelry Glossary, however the takeaway is that this: select stones that you simply love, not simply those that somebody way back determined had been ‘treasured’.
Sorts of Gem stones
When looking for gemstone jewelry, it is simple to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of stones on the market. So let’s break it down into a number of helpful classes that can assist you perceive what’s accessible – and what is perhaps best for you.
Pure Gem stones: These are fashioned within the earth over tens of millions of years and are mined from nature. They will range wildly in high quality, readability and color, which is a part of their appeal. We use a spread of pure gems in our designs, typically extra reasonably priced varieties that include fewer moral considerations and that are chosen for his or her aesthetics in relation to our jewelry designs, reasonably than as an funding. We now have pure opal jewelry and pearl jewelry, as some examples.
Lab-Grown Gem stones: These are created in a lab reasonably than mined from the earth, however they’re chemically and structurally similar to pure stones. We love utilizing lab-grown gems, particularly for stones like rubies and sapphires. They seem to be a extra moral and reasonably priced different to mined stones, with all the flicker and color you may need. We’ll at all times let you know after we’re utilizing a lab-grown stone in one in every of our designs.
Simulated Gem stones: These look much like sure gems however are made out of completely different supplies (usually glass or cubic zirconia). They don’t seem to be chemically the identical because the stones they imitate, however they could be a nice possibility for those who love the look however wish to hold issues reasonably priced and much more moral. We use a small variety of simulated gems, however at all times make this clear in our product listings.
We’re at all times considerate in regards to the stones we select. Our focus is on creating jewelry that is lovely, significant, and ethically made, whether or not which means a vibrant lab-grown ruby or a dreamy pure aquamarine. In the end, the most effective gemstone for you is the one you like to put on.
Moral Concerns
Gem stones are lovely, however their origins could be sophisticated, as alluded to above. From environmental destruction to unfair labour practices, conventional gemstone mining usually raises severe moral considerations. That is why we predict it is so necessary to think about the place your gems come from and the way they’re sourced.
At Simone Walsh Jewelry, we have at all times been dedicated to creating moral jewelry. For increased worth stones that could be ethically compromised, we’ll usually go for lab-grown or simulated options, which do not have the identical environmental or human prices that mined pure stones might have.
We do use loads of pure stones too, however we goal for extra reasonably priced varieties which have fewer related points, and we at all times work with trusted, moral suppliers. For instance, we do not use pure diamonds in any respect because of the widespread considerations round their origins.
In the end, our purpose is to design jewelry that you would be able to be ok with sporting: lovely, thoughtfully made, and higher for the world round us.
Why Gem stones Are So Common in Jewelry
Gem stones have been utilized in jewelry for 1000’s of years — and with good purpose. Their color, sparkle and pure magnificence convey life and persona to even the best designs. Whether or not it is a richly hued sapphire, a soft-toned moonstone or a fiery garnet, gems are a solution to specific temper, which means and elegance .
And these stones work superbly in a big selection of jewelry designs. There are gemstone rings, birthstone earrings, gemstone beaded necklaces and way more to select from.
Some individuals are drawn to stones for his or her symbolism or believed properties, whereas others merely fall in love with a color or the way in which a gem catches the sunshine.
From refined accents to daring centrepieces, gems allow you to customise your jewelry and make it really feel private. They’re additionally extremely versatile: a single stone could be delicate or dramatic, relying on the way it’s styled. It is no marvel gemstone jewelry continues to be so enduringly fashionable.
Be taught extra in our information to The That means of Gemstone Jewelry and likewise see our assortment of Birthstone Jewelry for significant items to be cherished.
How We Select Gem stones for Our Jewelry
We put quite a lot of thought into selecting the gems we use in our designs – not only for their magnificence, however for his or her high quality, suitability in our designs and sourcing. Our items usually function pure gems, which we love for his or her color, uniqueness and extra accessible pricing. We additionally use lab-grown and simulated stones, particularly once they provide a extra moral and reasonably priced different to mined varieties.
We at all times goal to keep away from gems with complicated moral points, which is why we do not use pure diamonds and are cautious with high-value stones. As an alternative, we search out respected suppliers who share our values round honest commerce and accountable sourcing.
We additionally select stones based mostly on how properly they swimsuit a design. Some gems are greatest showcased in minimalist settings to let their color shine, whereas others are excellent for extra elaborate items. On the finish of the day, our purpose is to make use of gems in a manner that highlights their pure magnificence – and lets you really feel lovely sporting them.
Frequent Gemstone Cuts We Use
Gem stones are available in all kinds of cuts, some designed to maximise sparkle, others to focus on color or form. In our jewelry, we deal with a small vary of cuts that complement our signature model and make every bit really feel particular. Under are some frequent cuts we use in our jewelry designs.
Cabochons: Easy, domed stones with no aspects. They’ve a gentle, natural really feel and are perfect for exhibiting off wealthy colors or distinctive inside patterns in a gemstone. We love utilizing cabochons for his or her timeless look and flexibility. They’re most frequently set in bezel-type settings (a strip of steel which is rubbed over the sting of the stone to carry it in place).
Rose Minimize Cabochons: A beautiful variation which have have a flat base and a faceted, dome-like high, providing you with the most effective of each worlds between cabochons and faceted stones: a gentle form with only a contact of sparkle.
Faceted Stones: These are reduce with flat surfaces (or aspects) to mirror mild and add brilliance. We use traditional faceted cuts in designs the place the stone can actually shine, each actually and figuratively. These could also be set in claw or basket settings (prongs of wire that are formed and reduce to carry the stones) or in settings made out of tube and utilizing a rubbed over bezel to carry them in place.
Beads: Gemstone beads are formed and polished items of stone, often drilled to allow them to be strung collectively. They arrive in lots of shapes – from easy rounds to faceted or freeform cuts – and are perfect for creating layered, wearable items stuffed with texture and color. We use gemstone beads in lots of our beaded necklaces for a relaxed however vibrant look that is simple to decorate up or down.
Slightly than following developments, we select gemstone cuts based mostly on how they work with the stone itself and particularly how they match into our wearable, on a regular basis designs. It is all about steadiness, magnificence and persona.
Why Purchase Gemstone Jewelry from a Small Enterprise?
Once you purchase gemstone jewelry from a small enterprise like ours, you are getting greater than only a lovely accent. You are supporting considerate design, moral selections and impartial creativity, not mass manufacturing or trend-chasing. You may additionally doubtless keep away from all of that terribly boring jewelry on the market!
We take the time to supply our gems responsibly, choose supplies with care, and design every bit with actual individuals in thoughts. Meaning you will usually discover jewelry that is extra distinctive, higher made and backed by real experience, not simply advertising and marketing buzzwords.
Plus, whenever you store small, you are usually supporting somebody’s dream straight. Each order helps hold our tiny workshop working, and each piece we ship out into the world issues to us. It is a private connection that no huge model can replicate – and we predict that makes the jewelry you select much more particular.
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Wrapping Up
Gemstone jewelry is a wonderful solution to specific your model, inform your story, and assist considerate design. Whether or not you are drawn to a specific stone for its which means, color or sparkle – otherwise you merely love sporting one thing distinctive – there is a world of choices on the market past the large jewelry chains.
We hope this information has helped you’re feeling extra assured and knowledgeable about selecting gemstone jewelry you will love – and be ok with sporting. Thanks for supporting small makers and purchasing with coronary heart.