Gemstones are not only revered for their beauty but also for their rich history and symbolic meanings. At Traditions by Pooja Backliwal, we understand the significance of each stone we offer and are committed to helping our clients make informed choices. This glossary serves as a guide to understanding the variety of gemstones available, from the classic to the contemporary, each with its own unique story and properties.
Diamonds: The Eternal Favorite
Symbolism: Strength, eternity, and purity
Properties: Diamonds are the hardest known natural material on Earth. They are graded based on the 4Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight, which determine their overall quality and value.
Uses: Perfect for engagement rings and everyday wear due to their durability.
Sapphires: The Wisdom Stone
Symbolism: Wisdom, virtue, good fortune
Properties: Sapphires are typically blue, but they can come in a range of colors including pink, yellow, and green. They are the third hardest mineral and are prized for their luster and durability.
Uses: Commonly used in fine jewelry as a centerpiece or accent due to their vibrant hues and resilience.
Rubies: The Gem of Passion
Symbolism: Love, energy, passion
Properties: Rubies are valued for their deep red color and brightness, which come from traces of chromium. They are almost as tough as diamonds, making them perfect for daily wear.
Uses: A popular choice for rings and pendants, especially for romantic occasions.
Emeralds: The Stone of Rebirth
Symbolism: Renewal, growth, fertility
Properties: Emeralds are known for their rich green color and are often included in the beryl category. They are softer than sapphires and rubies, so they require more care.
Uses: Ideal for earrings and necklaces that are not subject to daily wear.
Amethyst: The Stone of Tranquility
Symbolism: Calm, peace, spirituality
Properties: Amethysts boast a striking purple color, which can range from light lavender to deep violet. They are relatively hard, making them suitable for a variety of jewelry pieces.
Uses: Often used in both everyday jewelry and special occasion pieces due to their beautiful color and versatility.
Aquamarine: The Sailor’s Gem
Symbolism: Serenity, clarity, protection
Properties: Aquamarine is known for its stunning, translucent blue hue reminiscent of the sea. It is part of the beryl family and has a good hardness rating, which makes it very durable.
Uses: Popular in rings and pendants for its calming color and clarity.
Topaz: The Gem of Clarity
Symbolism: Affection, strength, intelligence
Properties: Topaz can come in a variety of colors, including blue, clear, golden, and pink. It is a hard gemstone but can be split with a single blow, a trait known as perfect cleavage.
Uses: Frequently used in jewelry that showcases its clarity and brilliance, such as bracelets and necklaces.
Actionable Tip: When choosing a gemstone, consider not only its aesthetic appeal but also its symbolic meaning and durability. This will ensure the piece not only looks beautiful but also holds personal significance and stands the test of time.
Opal: The Play-of-Color Gem
Symbolism: Creativity, spontaneity, hope
Properties: Opals are famous for their ability to display a whole spectrum of colors when the stone is moved under a light source. The phenomenon, known as "play-of-color," makes each opal unique.
Uses: Ideal for statement pieces like brooches and pendants, opals add a mesmerizing touch to any outfit.
Citrine: The Merchant’s Stone
Symbolism: Prosperity, joy, energy
Properties: Citrine is a variety of quartz ranging in color from pale yellow to deep amber. The stone is relatively hard and has excellent transparency, making it popular in jewelry.
Uses: Often used in rings, earrings, and pendants, citrine is favored for its warm, sunny color that brightens all types of jewelry.
Garnet: The Commitment Stone
Symbolism: Commitment, passion, health
Properties: Garnets are typically recognized by their rich red color, but they can come in a range of other colors, including green, purple, and orange. They are quite hard and durable, making them suitable for everyday wear.
Uses: Garnets are versatile and can be incorporated into almost any type of jewelry, including rings, bracelets, and necklaces.
Peridot: The Evening Emerald
Symbolism: Strength, vitality, nature
Properties: Peridot is one of the few gemstones that come in a single color: a distinctive signature lime green. The intensity and tint of the green depend on how much iron is contained in the crystal structure.
Uses: This vibrant green stone is perfect for summer jewelry collections and is commonly used in rings and pendants.
Moonstone: The Mysterious Adularia
Symbolism: Mystery, calm, new beginnings
Properties: Moonstone is known for its adularescence, where light diffuses softly across the stone, giving it a glow reminiscent of moonlight. Typically colorless with a blue or white sheen, moonstones are somewhat soft, making them more suitable for earrings and pendants than rings.
Uses: Moonstone jewelry is perfect for those who prefer a subtle yet enchanting look, making it ideal for necklaces and bracelets.
Tanzanite: The Exotic Blue Gem
Symbolism: Transformation, magic, energy
Properties: Tanzanite is known for its stunning shades of blue and violet, deriving from the mineral zoisite. This gemstone is unique to Tanzania and is quite rare. It has a relatively soft composition, which requires it to be handled with care.
Uses: Due to its vivid color and exclusivity, tanzanite is often used in statement jewelry such as cocktail rings and pendants that are not subjected to everyday wear.
Jade: The Stone of Harmony
Symbolism: Harmony, balance, peace
Properties: Jade is highly prized in many cultures, particularly in Asia, for its smooth texture and rich, typically green color. It is actually comprised of two separate minerals: jadeite and nephrite. Jade is quite tough, making it perfect for intricate carvings and durable jewelry.
Uses: Commonly used in bracelets and ornamental pieces, jade is also popular in pendants and rings, offering a touch of understated elegance.
Tourmaline: The Rainbow Stone
Symbolism: Creativity, protection, healing
Properties: Tourmaline is available in a spectrum of colors, often with multiple colors in a single crystal. Its wide color range and good durability make it an appealing choice for many types of jewelry.
Uses: Tourmaline is versatile and can be featured in everything from engagement rings to brooches, showcasing its vibrant color diversity.
Lapis Lazuli: The Stone of Truth
Symbolism: Truth, wisdom, honor
Properties: Lapis lazuli is a deep blue metamorphic rock that has been prized since antiquity for its intense color. It is relatively soft, with a slightly rough texture, which is often polished to a smooth finish.
Uses: Typically used in necklaces and earrings, lapis lazuli offers a royal blue that adds depth and intrigue to any jewelry piece.
Turquoise: The Healing Stone
Symbolism: Healing, protection, tranquility
Properties: Turquoise is known for its striking sky blue or greenish color, often interspersed with veins of matrix that add character to each stone. It’s among the first gemstones to be mined and is relatively soft and porous.
Uses: Turquoise is commonly set in sterling silver and worn in bohemian and Southwestern-style jewelry, popular in bracelets and large pendants.
Actionable Tip: When selecting a gemstone, consider the type of jewelry and the frequency of wear. Softer stones like opal or moonstone are better suited for pieces that aren't exposed to harsh conditions, while harder stones like diamonds and sapphires are excellent for engagement rings and daily wear items.
Alexandrite: The Chameleon Gem
Symbolism: Change, balance, joy
Properties: Alexandrite is famed for its remarkable color change under different lighting conditions, shifting from green in daylight to red under incandescent light. This gem is quite rare and has good hardness, making it suitable for everyday wear.
Uses: Ideal for unique engagement rings and pendants that showcase its color-changing ability.
Morganite: The Heart Stone
Symbolism: Love, compassion, promise
Properties: Morganite is known for its translucent pink to orange-pink hues, part of the beryl family like emerald and aquamarine. It has a good hardness, making it suitable for a variety of jewelry applications.
Uses: Popular in bridal jewelry, especially for engagement rings and anniversary gifts, due to its warm, gentle colors.
Rhodolite Garnet: The Rose Garnet
Symbolism: Inspiration, emotional healing, self-worth
Properties: Rhodolite garnet displays a vibrant raspberry to purplish-red color, offering a fine clarity rarely found in other garnet types. It’s tougher than other garnets, making it very wearable.
Uses: Frequently used in rings, earrings, and necklaces, where its striking color can truly shine.
Zircon: The Bright Stone
Symbolism: Wisdom, prosperity, confidence
Properties: Not to be confused with synthetic cubic zirconia, zircon is a natural gemstone known for its brilliant fire and a range of colors from clear to vibrant blues, greens, and yellows. It has great brilliance and intensive fire but is relatively brittle.
Uses: Best suited for earrings and pendants that are less likely to encounter bumps and abrasion.
Spinel: The Master of Disguise
Symbolism: Hope, revitalization, joy
Properties: Spinel is often mistaken for ruby or sapphire due to its range of colors, which include red, pink, blue, and lavender. It has a good hardness, making it suitable for all types of jewelry.
Uses: Increasingly popular in engagement rings and fine jewelry due to its durability and vibrant colors.
Kyanite: The Alignment Stone
Symbolism: Alignment, tranquility, endurance
Properties: Kyanite typically appears in shades of blue, but it can also be found in green and black. It is unique in that it has a wide variation in hardness within the same crystal.
Uses: Best used in pendants and earrings where the risk of impact is lower.
Actionable Tip: When exploring these gemstones, consider their physical properties alongside their symbolism. This will help you choose not only a beautiful piece of jewelry but one that aligns with your personal values and lifestyle needs.
Onyx: The Protective Stone
Symbolism: Protection, strength, stamina
Properties: Onyx is a variety of chalcedony and is most commonly found in black. It’s known for its smooth, fine texture and can be highly polished to a reflective sheen.
Uses: Ideal for bold statement jewelry like cufflinks, bracelets, and cocktail rings that showcase its sleek, dark appearance.
Iolite: The Viking's Compass
Symbolism: Navigation, exploration, clarity
Properties: Iolite exhibits shades of violet and blue depending on the angle and light, once used by Vikings as the world's first polarizing filter. It has good hardness and is suitable for a variety of jewelry applications.
Uses: A great choice for everyday wear pieces like rings and pendants that benefit from its shifting blue tones.
Chrysocolla: The Stone of Communication
Symbolism: Expression, empowerment, teaching
Properties: Chrysocolla is known for its vivid blue to green color and is often found mixed with quartz for better durability and polish. It’s relatively soft compared to other gemstones.
Uses: Best used in pendants and earrings where its exquisite color can be displayed without significant wear and tear.
Fire Opal: The Flame Stone
Symbolism: Passion, creativity, energy
Properties: Fire opal is characterized by its translucent to transparent body color that ranges from yellow to bright orange and red, often vibrant and eye-catching.
Uses: Often cut to showcase its fiery color without facets, it’s popular in earrings and pendants that allow the stone to catch the light beautifully.
Labradorite: The Stone of Transformation
Symbolism: Transformation, perseverance, imagination
Properties: Labradorite is known for its remarkable iridescence, displaying a spectrum of colors known as labradorescence. This stone varies in color but typically shows hues of blue, green, and gold.
Uses: Used in necklaces and bracelets where its changing colors can be fully appreciated in varying light conditions.
Sodalite: The Poet's Stone
Symbolism: Logic, rationality, efficiency
Properties: Sodalite is rich in deep blues, often with white streaks or patches. It is relatively hard and durable but best when not exposed to rough wear.
Uses: Excellent for statement pieces like brooches and larger decorative rings where its royal blue hue can stand out.
Sunstone: The Joyful Stone
Symbolism: Leadership, abundance, benevolence
Properties: Sunstone is known for its sparkling appearance due to reflections from microscopic scales of red copper within the stone. It ranges in color from orange to red to brown, often with a glittery effect.
Uses: Perfect for adding a pop of shimmer to bracelets and rings, enhancing everyday outfits with a sparkle.
Chrome Diopside: The Visionary Stone
Symbolism: Growth, healing, learning
Properties: Chrome Diopside is recognized for its rich, vibrant green color, which is comparable to emerald but at a more accessible price point. It’s relatively soft, so it requires care in handling.
Uses: Best suited for earrings and pendants that are not exposed to rough wear, showcasing its deep green hue without the risk of damage.
Pearl: The Queen of Gems
Symbolism: Purity, wisdom, serenity
Properties: Pearls are organic gems produced within the soft tissue of a living shelled mollusk. They vary widely in color, shape, and size, and are prized for their lustrous beauty.
Uses: Timeless in necklaces and earrings, pearls are a staple in bridal and classic jewelry collections, offering elegance and grace.
Tiger Eye: The Stone of Courage
Symbolism: Courage, balance, endurance
Properties: Tiger Eye is a chatoyant gemstone with a silky luster, featuring golden to red-brown stripes that shimmer in the light. It is quite durable and resistant to scratches.
Uses: Commonly used in bracelets and men's jewelry, tiger eye's eye-catching appearance makes it ideal for statement pieces that convey strength and bravery.
Cat's Eye: The Stone of Intuition
Symbolism: Intuition, luck, protection
Properties: Cat's Eye refers to any gemstone cut in a cabochon form that displays a narrow band of concentrated light across the surface, known as chatoyancy. It can be found in a variety of colors and materials, including chrysoberyl, quartz, and tourmaline.
Uses: Often used in rings and pendants, cat's eye gems are favored for their intriguing visual effect and are believed to ward off evil and bring good luck.
At Traditions by Pooja Backliwal, we take pride in offering a rich spectrum of gemstones, tailored to cater to diverse tastes and preferences. Starting with the timeless elegance of Diamonds and the lush depth of Emeralds, our collection showcases the pinnacle of precious stones, celebrated for their unmatched beauty and enduring value. Moving through the vibrant hues of Sapphires and the fiery brilliance of Rubies, each gemstone in our collection is selected for its unique characteristics and the stories they carry.
Further enriching our assortment are the mystical allure of Tanzanite, the serene translucence of Pearls, and the striking vibrancy of Topaz and Spinel, blending the traditional with the contemporary to suit all manner of personal styles and occasions. Our selection also includes enchanting semi-precious stones such as the reflective Tiger Eye and the intuitive Cat's Eye, each adding a distinct flair and meaning to our bespoke jewelry pieces.
Our dedicated team at Traditions by Pooja Backliwal is committed to guiding you through the process of selecting the perfect gemstone. We understand that choosing the right gem is not just about aesthetics but also about finding a stone that resonates with your personal story and lifestyle. Whether you are drawn to the protective qualities of Onyx or the transformative properties of Labradorite, we are here to ensure that every choice you make is informed and reflective of your deepest values and aspirations.
Join us at Traditions by Pooja Backliwal to explore this exquisite array of gemstones. Here, each stone is more than just an accessory; it is a testament to personal expression and the timeless beauty of nature’s creations, crafted into pieces that you will cherish and pass down through generations.