Gemstones
Discover the hidden symbolism and timeless energy behind every gemstone in our collection.
Gemstone Guide
Actinolite
Actinolite
Actinolite is known for its protective properties, believed to shield against negative energies and promote emotional balance.
Agate
Agate
Agate is a variety of chalcedony that forms slowly in cavities of volcanic rock, building up layer by layer into natural bands, patterns and inclusions. Black agate is polished to a deep, glossy finish; moss agate holds green, plant-like inclusions; dendritic agate, known as the Stone of Plentitude, has been treasured since the Babylonian era; and fire agate flashes with warm iridescence. Hand-carved and polished, every agate is unique.
Amethyst
Amethyst
Traditionally said to bring luck and have many supernatural powers, this stone is usually found in Brazil and Uruguay. Part of the Quartz group, its colour is a translucent purple.
Apatite
Apatite
Apatite takes its name from the Greek word for 'to deceive', as it was often mistaken for other gemstones. Its vivid blue-green colour is especially striking in a doublet, where a rose-cut cabochon of rock crystal is set over a slice of apatite to magnify its colour. These are expertly cut in Jaipur, India.
Aquamarine
Aquamarine
Aquamarine originates from the Latin aqua marina, meaning 'water of the sea.'
Aventurine
Aventurine
This stone is named after the Latin-Italian word for aventura, meaning ‘by chance’ (adventure). It is flecked with metallic inclusions of copper and chromic oxide, occurring in shades of green. Aventurine is said to have the capacity to calm a troubled mind and brings tranquillity.
Black Obsidian
Black Obsidian
Named after an Ancient Roman, Obsius, it was used in antiquity because of its sharp edges and high vitreous lustre. Varieties show golden or silver sheen caused by inclusions. Colours can be black, grey, brown and green.
Carnelian
Carnelian
Carnelian is a translucent orange-red variety of chalcedony, valued since antiquity. Because hot wax does not stick to it, it was traditionally carved into signet seals, a heritage that suits it well to men's jewellery. Its warm, glowing colour is said to bring courage and vitality.
Chrysocolla
Chrysocolla
Chrysocolla is a blue-green copper mineral, known as the 'Wise Stone'. Its deep blues and shadowy blacks evoke serenity and resilience, and it has long been associated with empowerment and calm, an expression of quiet inner strength.
Citrine
Citrine
Named after the French word for lemon, citron, in ancient times Citrine was used to ward off snake venom and other evil. This stone is incredibly durable. Most Citrine is formed from amethyst, which is then heated to create its unique colour.
Coral
Coral
Coral can live up to three thousand meters below the seas around Taiwan and Japan, the Red Sea and Australia. Coral is produced by the smallest life forms which settle at the bottom of the ocean over a vast period of time. Coral can appear in a multitude of beautiful red shades, hence its name. Tateossian does not use endangered coral but only authorized farmed, nursery coral.
Crystal
Crystal
All crystal Tateossian products are made with Swarovski® Elements.
Diamond
Diamond
Formed from pure carbon under intense heat and pressure deep within the earth, diamonds are the hardest natural material known, which is why they keep their brilliance for generations. At Tateossian we work with white, black and champagne diamonds, each cut to catch the light, whether set alone, rose-cut for a softer glow, or micro pavé-set so that dozens of small stones read as one continuous surface of sparkle.
Emerald
Emerald
Formed from pure carbon under intense heat and pressure deep within the earth, diamonds are the hardest natural material known, which is why they keep their brilliance for generations. At Tateossian we work with white, black and champagne diamonds, each cut to catch the light, whether set alone, rose-cut for a softer glow, or micro pavé-set so that dozens of small stones read as one continuous surface of sparkle.
Enamel
Enamel
A widely used material within the RT collection. It is produced with specialized cold setting techniques, in order to create and build resilience and durability.
Moonstone
Moonstone
Moonstone is a feldspar mineral known for its soft, luminous glow, which seems to move beneath the surface of the stone, an effect called adularescence. Grey moonstone has a cool, smoky sheen, while rainbow moonstone flashes with subtle colour. Our stones are sourced and expertly cut by skilled lapidaries in Jaipur.
Malachite
Malachite
Malachite is a vivid green copper mineral known for its striking concentric bands, which form naturally as it grows. Treasured since antiquity, and once ground into green pigment, each stone's pattern is entirely unique and contrasts beautifully with warm gold finishes.
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis lazuli is a deep, celestial blue stone often flecked with golden pyrite. Treasured for more than six thousand years, it adorned ancient Egyptian jewellery and was ground into ultramarine, the most precious pigment of Renaissance painters. Its intense colour brings a rich, regal accent to silver and gold.
Jade
Jade
Jade has been revered for thousands of years, especially in Chinese culture, where it symbolises harmony and good fortune. Exceptionally tough despite its smooth, waxy finish, it has long been carved into objects meant to last for generations. It is found in a range of colours, from soft greens to deeper tones.
Garnet
Garnet
Garnet is found in a variety of colours, most commonly in burgundy. In ancient times, many travellers wore the stone for protection, as it was believed it became illuminated at night.
Hematite
Hematite
From the Greek, translated as 'blood'. This is because when it is cut, the resulting coolant is a shade of red. In ancient times, shiny varieties were used as mirrors; it was also periodically used as mourning jewellery. If cut thinly, Hematite is transparent and reddish.
Jasper
Jasper
It comes in a combination of red - fancy and picture types. Its hardness allows the stone to be widely used, particularly in some types of mosaics. It is also said to obtain a variety of properties, from bringing the rain to strengthening the stomach.
Labradorite
Labradorite
This material is named after Labrador, the North American place in which it was first discovered. Its flash of iridescent colour is defined as 'labradorescence' - it changes colour depending on the angle of light refraction.
Mother Of Pearl
Mother Of Pearl
This is produced from calcium carbonate, from the lustrous lining in the shells of sea substances such as pearl oysters and mussels. This lining occurs in tones of milky white. Colours available are Blue, Pink and white.
Onyx
Onyx
Formed by layered deposits of limestone, the name translates from the Greek word meaning 'fingernail'. Onyx is black and occurs in parts of Africa, Argentina and Mexico.
Pearl
Pearl
Pearls are organic gems, formed layer by layer inside a living mollusc. Freshwater pearls offer a soft, natural lustre, while Tahitian pearls, formed in the black-lip oyster of French Polynesia, are known for their dark, iridescent tones. Hand-selected for their natural beauty, pearls have long symbolised purity, balance and intuitive wisdom.
Peridot
Peridot
Deriving from the Greek word meaning 'uncertain', this stone comes in a variety of shades of green and is sourced in Burma, Australia and Brazil. This is a relatively soft stone.
Quartz
Quartz
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on earth and takes many forms. Clear rock crystal has been prized for its purity since antiquity and is often used to protect and magnify a stone set beneath it. Black rutilated quartz holds fine, needle-like inclusions suspended within it and is said to enhance intuition, while limonite quartz is celebrated for its colouring, from pale yellow-orange to deep rust. Each is entirely natural, so no two stones look the same.
Ruby
Ruby
Ruby is the red variety of corundum, the same mineral as sapphire, and shares its remarkable hardness. Its colour comes from traces of chromium, giving tones from rich pink-red to deep crimson. For centuries rubies have been treasured as a symbol of passion and vitality, and are said to improve motivation and drive away negativity. As a natural stone, each ruby differs subtly in colour and formation, making every piece unique.
Rutilated Quartz
Rutilated Quartz
Rutile or titanium oxide (ti02) is a mineral that typically forms in long, thin needles. Rutilated Quartz is a beautiful stone, produced by large inclusions of golden or red rutile needles in clear quartz. The formation of this stone occurs due to high temperatures and pressure. Quartz (Si1O2) and Rutile (T102) are in stable (liquid) state but as temperatures cool down and pressure eases, the two separate, with Rutile crystals becoming trapped inside the Quartz crystals. Currently, the vast majority of Rutilated Quartz is mined in Brazil and is found in most gem-producing countries.
Sapphire
Sapphire
Sapphire is a precious variety of the mineral corundum and, after diamond, one of the hardest natural gemstones, making it exceptionally durable for everyday wear. Best known for its deep blue, it also occurs naturally in white, brown and many other shades. Long regarded as the stone of joy and wisdom, sapphire is said to bring protection and good fortune. As each stone is natural, colour and formation vary slightly, making every piece one of a kind.
Silver
Silver
A malleable material, which can often be found - along with copper, lead and gold - in rocks. It is most commonly found in Mexico, Canada, Peru and the United States. The most outstanding feature of silver is its lustre, which - when untarnished - can give a brilliant white shade. In ancient times, silver was valued more highly than gold. Its name comes from the Anglo-Saxon word Seolfer but it's also related to the German word Silber and the Dutch word Zilfer. Its chemical symbol, Ag, derives from the Latin word for silver, argentum. Sterling silver contains 92.5% silver with the remainder being copper and a nominal amount of other base metal.
Sodalite
Sodalite
This stone's name refers to the sodium content within the stone. Sodalite comes in many varieties of blue. The most important deposits are found in Bahia, Namibia and India.
Spinel
Spinel
Spinel is a hard, naturally brilliant gemstone that was mistaken for ruby for centuries; some of history's most famous 'rubies' in royal collections are in fact spinel. Black spinel has an intense, almost mirror-like lustre, making it a striking alternative to black diamond when set in pavé or paired with white stones. Each natural stone varies subtly in formation, so no two pieces are identical.
Tiger's Eye
Tiger's Eye
Part of the Quartz group, brown iron gives the stone its golden yellow colour. It has a silky texture, and when cut into a cabochon, produces a shine reminiscent of a cat's eye.
Topaz
Topaz
The name derives from an ancient island in the Red Sea, Topazos. The most valuable colour is pink, though it's most commonly available in yellow. It is mostly mined in Sri Lanka, Burma and Russia.
Tourmaline
Tourmaline
Tourmaline occurs in more colours than any other gemstone, sometimes several within a single crystal. Watermelon tourmaline reveals a pink centre ringed with green, while black tourmaline is renowned for its protective energies. Green tourmaline can also be found naturally combined with quartz. Many of our tourmalines are sourced from Brazil, one of the world's great sources of this stone.
Turquoise
Turquoise
Occurring in dense forms, the name translates as 'Turkish stone'. Polishing the stone makes the colour more intense.