Metals and precious stones

Diamond is the most precious stone there is! According to Greek mythology, Cupid's arrowheads were topped with diamonds, making him a symbol of pure love. It is also due to this reputation that the diamond is the stone par excellence on engagement and wedding rings. On the other hand, it is only after 60 years of marriage that you will be able to celebrate your diamond wedding anniversary!

Diamonds are composed of carbon, making them the hardest natural stone in the world. This exceptional stone is formed under conditions of extreme temperature and pressure. The diamond has 4 main characteristics which determine its price; cut, clarity, color and carat. This rule is also called the 4C rule.

The cut or size of a diamond is the only one of the four criteria to depend solely on human know-how. Quality cutting requires perfect proportions and symmetry to allow the ideal path of light through the stone. The brilliance of the diamond depends on this essential step, because even a white and pure diamond will be dull if it is poorly cut.

Diamonds are classified by color. The most sought-after color is pure white, that is to say without any nuance of any color. These colors are rated from D, the most exceptional white to Z, a brownish yellow tint.

The weight of the stones is expressed in carats. This unit of measurement preserved since antiquity comes from India where carob seeds (which have a constant weight) were used as a standard for weighing precious stones. 1 carat is approximately 0.20 grams or 100 points. So a 0.50 carat diamond weighs approximately 0.10 grams and is equivalent to 50 points. The size and price of a diamond are directly related to its carat weight, but not proportionally in its increase. Large diamonds are rare, explaining their high value. The value is exponential; so the larger a diamond is, the higher its price per carat will be.

Moissanite is an artificial stone that is very popular since it is an almost perfect substitute for diamonds. It is actually very difficult to distinguish between the two gems as moissanite is brilliant, white and dazzling. Only an expert eye will be able to see the difference.

Moissanite (silicon carbide) is the stone that is closest to a diamond on several levels: its brilliance, its color, its hardness, to name a few. Moissanite does exist naturally on earth, but it is extremely rare. This is why synthetic moissanite, created in the laboratory, is much more affordable and available to adorn and make your jewels shine.

Moissanite is an extremely interesting option for all budgets since it allows you to afford a much more imposing and just as dazzling stone at a lower price than a diamond. Also, moissanite is unmatched ecologically: it is created in the laboratory chemically and does not require mining excavation which can sometimes be questionable for the environment and the humans who work there.

Learn a little more about moissanite in this blog post.

Poetically named the “King of precious stones”, the ruby ​​has charmed lovers and enthusiasts for millennia. For many, it is impossible not to succumb to the flamboyant charm of a piece of jewelry adorned with this sumptuous stone. Its scarlet color evokes love, passion, health, vitality; some also give ruby ​​energizing and beneficial properties for heart health.

The color of the stone can vary from a pale pink to a bright orange or from a dark purplish to the vibrant red for which it is famous. White, pink or yellow gold can all pair harmoniously with this unique gem.

The ruby ​​is of great rarity and is considered the most precious of precious stones; reserve it for someone very dear to your heart. More traditionally, the ruby ​​is offered to brides and grooms celebrating a 35th anniversary and to those born in the month of July.

The emerald, this precious stone with which Queen Cleopatra fell under the spell and had all her jewelry adorned, is a green jewel of mystical beauty. It is seen as a symbol of hope, rebirth or “promise of good luck”. Its color varies from a bluish green, almost turquoise, to a bright green. The inclusions contained in the stone (the small cracks that run through it) are very nicely nicknamed “the gardens”.

Emerald is the most friable of precious stones and is a challenge for gem cutters: it has also inspired lapidary artists who invented a cut specially dedicated to it: the emerald cut. With this rectangular cut, this stone will shine brightly on your jewelry.

Emerald goes very well with white gold; but it is yellow gold that will bring out the richness and depth of the green color of the stone. Give the emerald to someone born in May, to mark a 20th wedding anniversary, or to someone who has recently experienced an ordeal. It can also be offered to a traveler since it is customary to believe that it will protect them on their journey.

The term sapphire comes from the Hebrew sappir, meaning “the most beautiful thing”. Of the 4 types of gemstones (sapphire, diamond, emerald and ruby), sapphire is the variety with the most color choices. Besides the classic blue, sapphires of all colors are available; pink, yellow, orange (padparadsha), green, purple, in several tones. It is therefore possible to opt for a practically tailor-made color to adorn your jewels. Red sapphires are in a class of their own and are called rubies.

Sapphires will bring good luck to those born in the month of September or to lovers celebrating their sapphire wedding anniversary, i.e. 45 years of marriage. They are also a symbol of loyalty, sincerity and wisdom.

Discovered in East Africa in 1967, tsavorite garnet owes its name to the Tsavo National Park in Kenya where it was discovered. Coming from the very beautiful garnet family, tsavorite is one of the rarest varieties with its intense green color. Thanks to its high refractive index and great hardness, tsavorite garnet is an excellent alternative to emerald, which is much more fragile and expensive. The largest deposits of this magnificent green stone are found in Kenya and Tanzania.

Those born in the month of January are the lucky ones whose birthstones include the great family of garnets. Tsavorite garnet is said to have particular virtues in combating stress and fatigue.