Below a selection of precious stones I mostly use for my designs.
I do however work with a whole variety of gem stones which where not mentioned here.
DIAMOND
The word 'diamond' derives from Greek adamao, meaning 'I tame' or 'I subdue' or the related word adamas, which means 'hardest steel' or 'hardest substance'. Diamond comes in many colors but is most known in transparant white. Diamonds are the symbol of innocence and constancy and therefore is a perfect gemstone for an engagement ring. When you propose with a diamond, you not only give a diamond but you give your heart as well. A diamond presented to the one you love signifies how very much you appreciate her or him. Diamond belongs to every Zodiacsign and every birthmonth.
AQUAMARINE
From the light blue of the sky to the deep blue of the sea, aquamarines shine over an extraordinarily beautiful range of mainly light blue colours. Aquamarine is a fascinatingly beautiful gemstone. Its light blue arouses feelings of sympathy, trust, harmony and friendship. Good feelings. Feelings which are based on mutuality and which prove their worth in lasting relationships. The blue of aquamarine is a divine, eternal colour, because it is the colour of the sky. However, aquamarine blue is also the colour of water with its life-giving force. Its name is derived from the Latin aqua (water) and mare (sea). Wearing aquamarine promises a happy marriage. Aquamarine belongs to Zodiacsigns Gemini and Pisces and is birthstone to the month of March.
EMERALD
Emeralds have the most beautiful, most intense and most radiant green that can possibly be imagined: emerald green. The name emerald comes from the Greek smaragdos via the Old French esmeralde, and really just means 'green gemstone'. The green of the emerald is the colour of life and of the springtime, which comes round again and again. But it has also, for centuries, been the colour of beauty and of constant love. In ancient Rome, green was the colour of Venus, the goddess of beauty and love. The magnificent green of the emerald is a colour which conveys harmony, love of Nature and elemental joie de vivre. The human eye can never see enough of this unique colour. Emerald belongs to Zodiacsigns Cancer and Virgo and is birthstone to the month of May.
RUBY
Which colour would you spontaneously associate with love and vividness, passion and power? Obviously this will evoke the colour red. Red symbolizes love, it emanates warmth and a strong sense of life. In the Sanskrit language Ruby is called "ratnaraj”, which does in fact translate as "King of Gemstones”. The name "Ruby” was derived from the Latin word "rubens” meaning "red”. Like no other gemstone Ruby is the perfect symbol of powerful feelings. A ring set with a precious Ruby does not really symbolise a calm and moderate sympathy, but rather passionate and unbridled love which two people feel for each other. Ruby belongs to Zodiacsigns Leo, Capricornus and Taurus and is birthstone to the month of July.
SAPPHIRE
The sky is just a gigantic blue Sapphire stone into which the earth is embedded. This gemstone exists in all the shades of blue skies, from the deep blue of evening skies to the bright and deep blue of a clear and beautiful summer sky which charms all people. Sapphire blue has become a colour related to anything permanent and reliable, and this is one of the reasons why women in many countries settle on Sapphire for their engagement rings. Sapphire symbolises loyalty and faithfulness, while at the same time expressing love and yearning. Sapphire belongs to Zodiacsigns Taurus and Virgo and is birthstone to the month of April.
LAPIS LAZULI
Lapis is a gemstone straight out of fairy tales of the Arabian Nights: deepest blue with golden shining Pyrite inclusions which twinkle like little stars. The evocative name is a compound of „lapis“, the Latin word for stone, and the Arabian word „azul“, denoting the colour blue. So it is basically just a blue stone – but what a special blue! The value of this colour for the world of art was for example enormous: in fact the ultramarine blue paint used by the Grand Old Masters was nothing else but pulverised Lapis lazuli. It was pulverised and added to a mixture of binding agents, thus turning the marble-like gemstone into a bright blue paint, suitable for watercolours, tempera and oil paintings. Emerald belongs to Zodiacsigns Sagittarius, Capricornus and Aquarius and is birthstone to the month of September.
OPAL
All of Nature’s splendour seems to be reflected in the manifold opulence of fine Opals: fire and lightnings, all the colours of the rainbow and the soft shine of far seas. The name Opal was probably derived from Sanskrit 'upala', meaning ”valuable stone'. This was probably the root for the Greek term 'opallios”, which translates as 'colour change”. Opal jewellery should be worn as often as possible, for then the gemstone will receive the needed humidity from the air and from the skin of its wearer. Opals are like human emotions: you always experience them different and anew. Opal belongs to Zodiacsigns Cancer and Libra and is birthstone to the month of October.
TOURMALINE
Tourmalines are precious stones displaying a unique splendour of colours. According to an ancient Egyptian legend this is the result of the fact that on the long way from the Earth’s heart up towards the sun, Tourmaline travelled along a rainbow. And on its way it collected all the colours of the rainbow. This is why nowadays it is called the "Rainbow gemstone”. However, the name "Tourmaline” has been derived from the Singhalese expression "tura mali”, which translates as "stone of mixed colours.” The very name already refers to the unique spectrum of colours displayed by this gemstone, which is second to none in the realm of precious stones. Tourmaline belongs to Zodiacsigns Libra and Pisces and is the birthstone for the month of October.