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Gemstones Explained: Symbolism, History and Everyday Uses

Gemstones have held human fascination for millennia.  valued for their rarity, symbolism, and beauty. Their significance continues today as expressions of love, heritage, and extraordinary natural colour. My work as a London-based jewellery designer centres on colour - especially bicolour stones - an interest shaped by growing up around my mother’s vibrant artwork and later studying Art History. I was particularly drawn to movements such as Impressionism and Art Deco, where colour, form, and light created entirely new visual languages. That dialogue between art, history, and colour continues in my jewellery today, guiding how I pair stones and build contrasts in my pieces.

From collection pieces to bespoke commissions, I explore how gemstones tell stories; below is a brief introduction to their meanings, myths, and modern uses, and why they remain so compelling.

WHAT IS A GEMSTONE?

A gemstone is a mineral, rock, or organic material that has been cut and polished to reveal its aesthetic qualities. Traditionally, gemstones have been divided into two categories:

  • Precious stones: diamond, ruby, emerald, sapphire
  • Semi-precious stones: amethyst, citrine, garnet, tourmaline, topaz, and many others

This classification, however, is increasingly regarded as outdated. For example, tanzanite, mined exclusively in Tanzania, is rarer than sapphire yet is still considered “semi-precious.” In practice, value is determined by the 4Cs - cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight - which assess a stone’s appearance and quality.

BICOLOUR GEMSTONES

Bicolour gemstones, which feature two or more distinct colours within a single stone, are a particular focus of my work. Their unique colouring arises from variations in the conditions under which the crystal forms - shifts in heat, gases, and chemical composition leave visible traces in the gem itself.

Notable examples include:

  • Ametrine: combining amethyst and citrine, often with a sharp division between purple and yellow.
  • Tourmaline: perhaps the most versatile bicolour gem, with combinations of pink, green, blue, and more.
  • Tanzanite: capable of shifting between blue, purple, and occasionally green.
  • Imperial Topaz: notable for its gradient of orange, pink, and red tones.
  • Sapphire: found in almost every colour, including striking two-tone variations.

These natural pairings of colour often echo the principles of painting: complementary tones placed side by side heighten and intensify one another. For me, this is what makes working with them so rewarding.

EXAMPLES OF THE HISTORY AND MEANING OF GEMSTONES

Throughout history, gemstones have been attributed symbolic qualities:

  • Tourmaline: Magical and spiritual aid; During the Roman Empire, black tourmaline was associated with magic and sorcery, believed to protect against demons. Alchemists considered it a link to the philosopher's stone due to its electrostatic properties.
  • Sapphire: Ancient Greeks and Romans believed sapphires offered protection from misfortune and evil spirits. The Greeks associated them with the god Apollo and believed they had powers linked to the spirit world.
  • Emerald: revered by the Ancient Egyptians as a stone of fertility and renewal.
  • Diamond: valued as a symbol of strength and endurance.

MODERN USES

Gemstones continue to play a central role in jewellery, but their applications extend further. Diamonds, for example, are used in industrial cutting tools due to their hardness. More significantly, gemstones remain objects of personal resonance: chosen to commemorate milestones, mark relationships, or reflect individual identity.

In my own bespoke work, clients frequently select stones with specific personal associations - from birthstones to heirloom gems to colours that hold private significance. These choices ensure each piece is both beautiful and meaningful.

CARING FOR GEMSTONES

Jewellery is designed to be worn, yet gemstones require care to preserve their brilliance:

  • Check settings regularly for movement or weakness, particularly in rings.
  • Remove jewellery at night to prevent scratches and reduce tarnishing.
  • Clean gently with mild soap, water, and a soft brush to remove residues from skincare or perfumes.

CONTINUING INSPIRATION

I love working with gemstones for their visual appeal, their endless variations and the fact that each stone is truly unique. I’m equally drawn to the meanings they carry and their history. 

Gemstones offer endless inspiration, and my work is constantly driven by new discoveries. My latest collection is built around one-of-a-kind stones, each chosen for its unique colour, character, and story.

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