Precious vs. semi-precious

Gemstones are traditionally split into two groups: precious and semi-precious. Precious stones (diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald) are rarer and typically command higher prices. Semi-precious stones cover almost everything else – agate, jade, jasper, amethyst and many more – and are prized just as much for their colour, pattern and character. Every natural stone we use falls into this semi-precious category, chosen for its beauty and meaning rather than rarity alone.

Looking for information on clasps, chains and metal components instead? See our Findings & Materials Guide.

The stones we use

Quartz family

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on earth, and its many colour varieties make it a cornerstone of jewellery-making.

• Amethyst – A purple variety ranging from pale lilac to deep violet, prized for centuries.
• Citrine – A warm yellow-to-amber variety, often associated with sunlight and warmth.
• Rose quartz – A soft, milky pink variety, one of the most recognised pink gemstones.
• Pink quartz – A related pale pink variety with a slightly different tone and clarity to rose quartz.
• Ice pink quartz – A clearer, more translucent pink variety with an icy, glass-like appearance.
• Smoky quartz – A brown-to-grey variety, ranging from light smoky tones to near-black.
• White quartz – A milky, opaque white variety with a soft, clouded appearance.
• Clear quartz – A fully transparent variety, often considered the “master” quartz for its clarity.
• White crackle crystal quartz – Quartz that has been heat-treated to create a natural web of fine internal fractures, giving it a crackled, textured appearance.
• Tiger eye – Known for its golden-brown bands and silky shine, caused by parallel mineral fibres catching the light.

Agate & chalcedony family

• Rose red agate – Warm, earthy red-toned banding.
• Black agate – A sleek, versatile black variety.
• Green agate – A soft green variety with natural banding.
• White agate – A clean, pale variety often used as a neutral base tone.
• Yellow agate – A warm, sunny-toned variety.
• Fuchsia agate – A vivid pink-purple variety, typically dyed for a bold, saturated colour.
• Botswana agate – Known for its soft, concentric grey-and-pink banding, originating from Botswana.
• Pink chalcedony – A smooth, waxy-textured stone in soft pink tones.
• Red carnelian – A warm orange-to-red variety, known for its rich, glowing colour.
• Sea sediment stone – A dyed stone that mimics the mottled blue-and-white look of natural turquoise.

Jasper family

• Red jasper – An opaque, earthy red-brown stone, often featuring natural mottling or banding.
• Dalmatian jasper – A cream-toned stone speckled with dark spots, resembling the dog’s coat it’s named after.
• Zebra jasper – Marked with bold black-and-white stripes.
• Pink zebra jasper – A softer variation featuring pink-and-white banded stripes.
• Green jasper – An earthy green variety with natural mottling.
• Pink & blue jasper – A multi-toned variety combining soft pink and blue hues.

Jade family

• White jade – A cool, milky stone with a long-standing reputation for calm and balance.
• Emerald jade – A vivid green variety, prized for its rich colour.
• Red jade – A warm, earthy-toned jade variety.
• Taiwanese jade – A green jade variety valued for its clarity and even colour tone.

Coral family

Coral is formed by marine organisms rather than mineral processes, making it an organic gemstone. In Nigerian and wider West African tradition, coral carries deep cultural significance, historically worn to signify status, heritage and royalty.

• Coral – Classic orange-red tones.
• Italian coral – A prized variety historically sourced from the Mediterranean, valued for its smooth finish.
• Sponge coral – A porous, textured variety with a distinctive natural surface.
• Red sponge/bamboo coral – A richly coloured red variety with a naturally porous, bamboo-like grain running through it.

Pearl family

• Shell pearl – Made from crushed mother-of-pearl bonded into a round bead, offering the lustre of natural pearl in a more durable form.
• Freshwater pearl – A genuine pearl grown in freshwater mussels, prized for its natural shape and soft sheen.
• Mother of pearl – The iridescent inner shell layer of certain molluscs, prized for its soft rainbow shimmer.
• Cotton pearl – A lightweight man-made pearl with a cotton-fibre core, offering a soft lustre and lighter feel than shell or freshwater pearl.

Other natural stones

• Morganite – A soft pink-to-peach member of the beryl family (the same group as emerald and aquamarine).
• Moonstone – Known for adularescence, a soft glow that seems to float beneath the surface.
• Brown moonstone – A warmer-toned variety of moonstone with the same gentle glow in earthy brown hues.
• Amazonite – A soft blue-green stone from the feldspar family, the same group as moonstone.
• Apatite – A vivid blue-green stone, sometimes mistaken for more expensive gems due to its striking colour.
• Fluorite – Known for its wide range of colours and occasionally banded, multi-coloured bands within a single stone.
• Hematite – A naturally metallic, iron-rich mineral with a dark, polished sheen.
• Lapis lazuli – A deep blue stone often flecked with golden pyrite, historically used in art and jewellery for millennia.
• Pyrite – A metallic, brassy-gold mineral, sometimes called “fool’s gold” for its resemblance to the real thing.
• Peridot – A bright olive-green gemstone, one of the few gems that occurs in only one colour.
• Opal – Known for its play of colour: flashes of rainbow hues that shift as the stone moves.
• Turquoise – A soft blue-to-green stone, among the oldest gemstones used in jewellery.
• Green mica – A layered mineral with a natural shimmer and soft green tone.
• Blue sandstone – A man-made glittering stone (sometimes called “goldstone” in its amber form), prized for its sparkling, star-like flecks.

Natural & organic materials

• Volcanic (lava) beads – Formed from cooled volcanic rock, with a naturally porous, matte texture that can absorb scented oils.
• Wooden beads – Lightweight, with warm tones and natural grain, often used for texture and contrast.
• Ceramic beads – Kiln-fired clay beads, often glazed for a smooth, glossy finish.
• Cowrie shells – Naturally smooth, glossy shells with deep roots in West African adornment and trade history, still widely used in jewellery and decor today.

Glass

• Glass beads – A lightweight, colourful, versatile option that works well for layering or everyday wear.
• Krobo beads – Handmade recycled glass beads originating from the Krobo people of Ghana, each one individually crafted and unique in pattern.

Faux stones

Some of our pieces use faux versions of natural stones, offering a similar look at a more accessible price point, with added durability for everyday wear.

• Faux malachite – Recreates the deep green banding of natural malachite.
• Faux howlite – Recreates the soft white marbling of natural howlite.
• Faux turquoise – Recreates the classic blue-green tone of natural turquoise.

Birthstones by month

Birthstones are a long-standing tradition, with each calendar month associated with one or more gemstones. Here is the modern birthstone list:

• January – Garnet
• February – Amethyst
• March – Aquamarine, Bloodstone
• April – Diamond
• May – Emerald
• June – Pearl, Moonstone, Alexandrite
• July – Ruby
• August – Peridot, Spinel
• September – Sapphire
• October – Opal, Tourmaline
• November – Citrine, Topaz
• December – Turquoise, Zircon, Tanzanite

Caring for your jewellery

• Avoid moisture and chemicals. Remove jewellery before showering, swimming, or applying perfume, lotion or hairspray, as these can dull or damage natural stones over time.
• Store pieces separately. Keep each piece in its own soft pouch or lined compartment to prevent scratching, especially with softer stones like chalcedony and howlite.
• Clean gently. Wipe with a soft, dry cloth after wear. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and harsh chemical cleaners, which can damage porous, dyed or metal-coated pieces.
• Mind the sunlight. Extended direct sunlight can fade the colour of some stones, including amethyst, over time. Store pieces away from direct light when not in use.
• Porous beads need extra care. Lava beads and wooden beads are more porous than polished stones. Keep them away from water and oils other than those intentionally applied for aromatherapy use.

This guide is for general interest and care purposes. If you have questions about a specific piece, feel free to get in touch.