Guide to stones

Diamond, a precious stone, is a transparent mineral composed of pure carbon crystals. It is often colorless, but can be naturally colored.Story:In Pharaonic times, diamonds symbolized the sun.

In India, over 4,000 years ago, diamonds were traded as ornamental stones. Diamonds have always had a special place, and are considered stones with various virtues. The Indies were the first producers of diamonds, the mines there were rich and of exceptional quality.

Each diamond is unique and its value is determined by 4 characteristics: its weight, clarity, color and cut.

Symbolism:the diamond is a symbol of purity and the brilliance of love. It is associated with perfection. In the Middle Ages, the diamond was the emblem of constancy, fidelity and love. Even today, after 60 years of marriage, we celebrate diamond weddings. The diamond brings harmony, love and complicity. For decades it has been a symbol of wealth and prosperity.

Origin: Africa, Asia and Oceania.

Sapphire, a precious stone, is a member of the corundum family. Although blue is sapphire's best-known color, it comes in a wide variety of hues.

History :Sapphire is one of the hardest and most enduring gemstones. Sapphire is highly coveted in the jewelry world, not only for its precious appearance and hardness, but also for its wide range of colors. Blue sapphire owes its color to the presence of titanium and iron in the stone. The yellow or green color is due to the presence of iron alone, while chromium confers a pink color and vanadium a violet one.

For the ancient Egyptians and Romans, sapphire was the stone of justice and truth.

Symbolism : Sapphire's symbolism has long been peace, serenity, purity and wisdom. In love, it is the stone of fidelity.

Sapphire is also said to attract wealth and bring prosperity. A stone of fulfillment and elevation, it encourages harmonious sensations.

The sapphire wedding represents 16 years of marriage.

Origin :Africa and Asia

Ruby, a gemstone, is a member of the corundum family.History:Ruby is an exceptionally beautiful and rare stone, it owes its color to the presence of chromium in the crystal. This gem has been known for thousands of years. Ruby is one of the most sought after stones in jewelry and is of great value.

The rarity and beauty of the ruby, introduced to Europe by the Etruscans and Greeks around 500 BC, has made it an extremely valuable stone since ancient times.

Symbolique : le rubis est une pierre associée à la joie, à l’enthousiasme et à la loyauté. It is known to develop self-confidence and perseverance.Ruby weddings represent 35 years of marriage.Origin:Africa and Asia.

Morganite is a natural pink-colored stone that is one of the beryl varieties.History: morganite is a stone whose discovery dates back to the early 20th century in California. Currently, the most illustrious morganite is on display at the British Museum in London. It comes from Madagascar, weighing about 600 carats, revealing a beautiful pink that many collectors appreciate.Symbolic: morganite promotes good thoughts and soothes tension. It also gives more wisdom and lucidity. It is the stone that helps build the feeling of love and happiness which it works to strengthen and stimulate.

Origin: Africa.

Green beryls belong to the silicate group.

History : the power of beryl was used in antiquity to make magnifying glasses, and later, spectacle lenses.

Symbolism : beryl is renowned for its influence on emotions and feelings.

Origin : Africa and South America.

Green beryls belong to the silicate group.

History : Yellow beryl was discovered in Namibia in the early 20th century and was considered a "new stone" at the time. Its name comes from two Greek words translating as "gift of the sun".

Its yellow color is due to the iron in its composition.

Symbolism : beryl is renowned for its influence on emotions and feelings. Yellow beryl stimulates the mind and increases willpower.

Origin : Africa and South America.

Amethyst, considered a fine stone, is a variety of violet quartz.

History : noble and elegant stone, amethyst has been considered a noble and elegant stone since Antiquity.

It was used for decorative purposes by the Etruscans and Egyptians.

Symbolism : Amethyst is considered the stone of humility, sobriety and wisdom. It stimulates creativity, imagination and clarity, and provides calm and relaxation.

The amethyst wedding anniversary represents 48 years of marriage.

Origin : Africa and South America.

Citrine is a rare variety of quartz with a yellow, orange or burnished hue.

History : For the Greeks, it was the stone of healing and wisdom. The Romans used citrine to make jewelry.

It was also one of the "merchant stones", as it was reputed to help accumulate wealth.

With its warm, appealing color reminiscent of the sun's radiance and warmth, citrine is in great demand.

Symbolism : Citrine's main characteristics are joie de vivre and abundance. This stone of wealth promotes energy balance and concentration. It is energizing and strongly enhances creativity.

Citrine is also considered a stone of fortune, prosperity and success.

Origin : Africa and South America.

Rose quartz belongs to the large family of oxides.

History : The first traces of the use of rose quartz date back to 7000 BC. It has been used in all the world's civilizations, most often in the form of jewelry and sculpted figurines.

Symbolism : A stone of love, rose quartz has always had a relationship with the heart. It brings soothing, tenderness and gentleness.

Rose quartz is also considered the stone of sensitivity and empathy.

Origin : Africa and South America.

Smoky quartz is a macro-crystalline variety.

History : In the 19th century, smoky quartz revealed an element of mystery that inspired many fortune-tellers. Less limpid than rock crystal, this stone preciously guards the predictions of divination balls so that they remain secret from everyone.

Symbolism : smoky quartz improves lucidity and concentration. It also enhances self-confidence, enabling good decision-making and discernment.

Origin : Africa and South America.

Prasiolite is a fine stone also known as prase or green quartz.

History : Already known in Antiquity, prasiolite was highly prized for its ornamental qualities. More recently, it enjoyed a resurgence in popularity during the Art Deco period, when it was used extensively in decoration and jewelry.

Symbolism : prasiolite boosts self-confidence. Carrying great life energy, it develops a positive, expressive, radiant and joyful attitude.

Origin : Africa and South America.

Lemon quartz belongs to the large quartz family.

History : lemon quartz is a natural quartz that has been treated to obtain its yellow color. Quartz heating and irradiation treatments have been used since the Middle Ages to embellish stones.

Symbolism : Quartz promotes clarity and neutrality, enhancing perception and understanding. A stone of purity and light, quartz amplifies our own light. It leads to self-knowledge and stimulates personal development.

Origin : Africa and South America.

Chalcedony is a cryptocrystalline variety of quartz.

History : Blue chalcedony is translucent with a matte sheen and varies from very light blue to blue-green.

Discovered in Turkey in 4000 BC, the Babylonians and Assyrians used this stone to design tools.

Among the Romans, chalcedony was worn for its belief in the power of speech and eloquence. For their part, the Egyptians also left behind beautiful objects crafted from this natural stone.

Symbolism : Chalcedony is a very positive rock, bringing gentleness and calm. It encourages openness to others, listening and brotherhood.

Blue chalcedony boosts self-confidence.

Origin : Africa and Asia.

Chrysoprase is a green variety of chalcedony.

History : The great civilizations of the past, such as the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, used chrysoprase for a variety of purposes, including jewelry and decorative objects. Later, in the Middle Ages, chrysoprase acquired a reputation for soothing certain ailments and detecting and curing poisons.

Symbolism : Chrysoprase is recognized for its energizing properties. Chrysoprase aids self-confidence, and is said to bring gentleness and self-confidence.

Origin : Oceania.

Onyx is an agate variety.

History : In Rome, onyx was used for a wide range of purposes, from interior decoration to the creation of seals, as this stone had the property of not sticking to wax.

Symbolism : Onyx bestows strength and support while bringing harmony and balance to body and mind. It is the stone of stability.

Origin : Asia and South America.

Rhodolite garnet is a mineral family belonging to the Silicate group.

History : Garnet is a mineral that has been used since Antiquity.

The great civilizations of the Mediterranean basin, from Ancient Egypt to Greece and Ancient Rome, have always used red garnets in the manufacture of delicate ornaments and jewelry.

Symbolism : Garnet has many properties, bringing joy and vitality, energy, courage, drive and self-confidence. It is associated with will power, self-confidence and success.

Origin : Africa, Asia and South America.

Pink opal belongs to the quartz family.

History : In the Roman Empire, pink opal was used as a talisman to bring joy and beauty.

Symbolism : opal is the stone of love par excellence. A symbol of tenderness and purity.

A stone of courage and wisdom, it stimulates reflection and soothes anger. It's the perfect ally for facing life's challenges.

Origin : South America.

Peridot is a fine stone belonging to the Olivine group.

History : Peridot was discovered in Egypt, approximately 1500 BC. For the Egyptians, peridot was part of the mystical world. The stone was also widely used in Greek jewelry, and was particularly prized by Ottoman rulers.

It was the Crusaders who brought the first crystals to Europe. For this reason, peridot has long been known as "the knights' stone".

Symbolism : Peridot is known for improving self-confidence. The energy contained in this stone gives it an important place in spirituality.

Symbolizing perfect happiness, peridot gives strength and promotes health and growth. It represents peace, balance and harmony.

Origin : North America and Africa.

Pink tourmaline is most often of the rubellite variety, whose color oscillates between pink and red.

History : Tourmaline originated in Sri Lanka, where legend has it that the stone came from the sky and landed on Earth. On its descent, it is said to have crossed a rainbow that lends it its wide range of hues.

Symbolism : A soothing stone, it energizes the body and gives energy. It is said to promote peace and harmony. It allows you to express your feelings and is totally linked to the emotions of the heart.

Origin : Africa.

Topaz is a mineral of the silicate family.

History : Topaz is a precious crystal known since ancient times. The Egyptians, Romans and Persians attributed powers and invincibility to topaz.

Blue topaz is a fine stone with a spectrum ranging from light blue (Sky Blue) to dark blue (Topaz Blue London).

Symbolism : Topaz is considered a stone that encourages reasoning, creativity, ardor, opulence and success. It also facilitates dialogue and communication.

Often associated with intellectual or artistic pursuits, it brings inspiration and clarity of mind.

Origin : Africa and Asia.

Moonstone belongs to the silicate family.

History : Because of the silvery/blue ray dancing on the stone's surface, it was believed in ancient India and Imperial Rome that moonstone was created by the rays of the moon.

Moonstone was often used for decorative objects during the emergence of Art Nouveau.

Symbolism : moonstone dispels fears and anxieties. Moonstone also brings balance and harmony.

It increases intuition and develops tolerance.

Origin : Asia.

Lapis lazuli is a rock containing silicates.

History : For over 6,500 years, lapis lazuli has been associated with the sacred, with kings and queens. In ancient times, the Egyptians carved and inlaid it into jewelry, furniture, chests, daggers, shields and palace ornaments.

For the ancient civilizations of the Near East and Egypt, lapis lazuli was the true gemstone, more prized than gold itself.

Symbolism : lapis lazuli brings fulfillment and inner peace. It is a stone of balance, regulation, soothing and repair.

Origin : Asia.

Turquoise is a variety of alumina phosphate.

History : In America, turquoise was a sacred stone and was even used as currency. Among the Egyptians, it was more of a decorative stone, although they believed in its virtues of immortality and good luck.

During the romantic period in Europe, turquoise took on a sentimental symbolism. When a lover had to go far away from his beloved, he would offer a turquoise-set jewel that meant "Don't forget me".

Symbolism : Turquoise is positive, influencing temperaments to make them more serene. It favors friendship, social relations, exchange and creativity.

Origin : Asia.