Christmas Jewellery Gift Guide.

Holidays are almost here: the chestnuts are roasting, and despite frost being substituted for torrential rains in London we can feel the merriment in the air! With the present dash under way we have put together a Christmas gift guide to help you find unique treats filled with meaning and sentiment; after all these two are what truly makes a perfect present!We haven’t kept our passion for gemstones much of a secret: their natural beauty, abundance of colours and textures, as well as time and specific conditions required to create them, make semi-precious stones more than just pretty embellishments. Throughout history gems have been given special place in human culture and special individual meaning: we still feel a profound personal connection to jewellery heirlooms, admire gems in museums and marvel at how our little blue planet could have given us such a treasure to shape, work on and make our own.So without further ado we would like to introduce you to some of our favourite gemstones of the season: Labradorite, Rose Quartz, Lapis and Turquoise. Jewellery Gifts by Gemstone

Labradorite

The Mineral: Labradorite is a feldspar mineral, an abundant group of minerals, which can be found in earth’s crust. This beautiful mineral can display an optical effect called ‘iridescence’ or ‘labradorescence’ - a peculiar reflection of light from submicroscopic planes orientated in one direction.The Lore & History: The crystal was first discovered in Canada on Labrador peninsula. According to a local legend, Aurora Borealis - the goddess of Northern Lights - was trapped in the rocks on the coast. A brave Inuit warrior has cast his spear to free her. She was freed, however small parts of her light still remain trapped in the rocks today.The Meaning & Properties: This gem is believed to be a powerful protective crystal. It is thought to be able to encourage positive change and help on the quest to self-discovery. It is often used in crystal healing to clear chakras and remove negativity.Our Thoughts: We love the play of colours in this stunning gem: you can spot shades from electric blue to forest green, to dark lilac and soft yellow in just one stone. When it catches a ray of sunshine it seem to light up from the inside (the little natural magic every jewellery magpie can’t resist). This gem works beautifully set in gold and combined with other gemstones. Each stone is often unique, which means a pair of labradorite earrings, a labradorite ring or a labradorite necklace would make for a special gift.


Genie Ruby and Labradorite Earrings	Genie Ruby and Labradorite Ring

Giza Labradorite Cocktail Ring	Totem Labradorite Earrings

Rose Quartz.

The Mineral: Rose Quartz is a member of Quartz family. It’s charming soft hue comes from an abundance of microscopic pink fibres - dididumortierites - within the opaque stone.The Lore & History: Ancient Romans and Assyrians were the first to use this crystal as a bead. Rose quartz is also known as the ‘heart stone’, the symbolic meaning first bestowed on the stone by Romans and Greeks. It has been given as a token of undying love for centuries.The Meaning & Properties: This stone is believed to be one of the most important stones of the heart chakra. It is thought to help the wearer to bring their consciousness to the higher level and to provide gentle energy that stimulates compassion, forgiveness and understanding.Our Thoughts: We love a romantic sentiment of this gorgeous gemstone. It’s soft hue also makes it a wonderfully neutral accessory, which can work magic layered over looks in so many different colour palettes. We think Rose Quartz earrings and Rose Quartz necklace would make a treasured gift this Christmas.


Mini Rose Quartz Earrings	Mini Rose Quartz Necklace

Chalcedony and Rose Quartz Earrings	Rose Quartz and Pearl Earrings

Lapis Lazuli

The Mineral: Lapis Lazuli is a metamorphic gem - a rock, which has developed from existing rock types in a natural process caused by extreme heat and pressure. The deposits of sulfur in its matrix gives Lapis its deep blue colour. Calcite and pyrite, also known as fools gold, add white and gold speckles to rock’s heavenly blue.The Lore & History: This stone has been mined by our ancestors since as early as 7th millennium BC in northeastern mines of modern Afghanistan. The gem was highly valued by the ancients: beads made from Lapis were found by archeologists in Neolithic tombs and, most famously, Lapis was discovered to have been used in king Tutankhamun’s funeral mask. At the end of Middle Ages the gem started to be exported to Europe. Ground into powder Lapis was transformed into one of the most iconic colour pigments - ultramarine - favoured and widely used by artists like Masaccio, Titian and Vermeer. You can still buy the traditionally made pigment in Italy’s most famous art store - Zecci.The Meaning & Properties: Lapis Lazuli meaning is believed to help bridge the gap between the physical and spiritual worlds. It’s intense blue colour is often associated with self-expression and awareness. The stone is thought to help open third eye and promote enlightenment.Our Thoughts: We agree with Renaissance artists - the colour of Lapis is truly special. It reminds us of night-time sky sprinkled with gold dust of galaxies. Hand-set in gold by our artisans Lapis takes on a new life of a modern day keepsake. Give a gift of Lapis earrings or Lapis pendant to the artistic and spiritual ones.


Chalcedony and Lapis Necklace	Hydra Chalcedony and Lapis Ring

Flotsam Lapis Bead Earrings	Sunrise Lapis Pendant Necklace

Turquoise

The Mineral: Turquoise is an opaque blue mineral, a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminium. In its finer grades this mineral is rare and highly valuable.The Lore & History: This gem has been prized by humankind for thousands of years and was one of the first gemstones to be mined. Beautiful Turquoise stones decorate many iconic historical and religious artefacts and even architectural marvels like Taj Mahal. Treasured by Egyptians, Aztecs, Persians and many other civilisations the stone was believed to posses powerful protective properties and widely used in amulets, ceremonial wear and antique jewellery.The Meaning & Properties: Turquoise is believed to be a gemstone version of a good luck charm, lifting the spirit and promoting health, abundance and wellbeing by bringing positive energy to the chakras.Our Thoughts: We have a soft spot for this gem and love working it into our jewellery. It’s connection to our heritage and vibrant beauty makes for a perfectly meaningful gem. So if you are looking for something unique and special, look no further than gorgeous turquoise earrings or turquoise necklace.