Gemstone considerations

Which Gemstones are better for everyday wear?

I love working with ALL gemstones, the variety of colours is endless and makes choosing quite difficult.
This is not being written as a rule for all, as some clients very happily wear some softer gems daily and never have an issue.
I am writing this so you know more about what you are looking at and how it might be affected by your own lifestyle.

Hardness in gems and diamonds is measured on a MOHS scale.
Below is a simplified version with comparisons against everyday items

Diamond being a 10 and the hardest, but this does not make it indestructible.
ALL gemstones and diamonds can be damaged given enough force, some are just a little more resistant.

Some other favorite gems
6.5 – Tanzanite, Peridot
7 – Amethyst, Citrine, Agate
7.5 – Garnet, Amethyst, Morganite, Tourmaline, Rubellite
8 – Topaz, Aquamarine, Beryl, Spinel
9 – Sapphire, Moissanite, Ruby
10 – Diamond

Now lets talk about some of the softer gems.
Gemstones like Amber or Pearl have a MOHS rating of 2.5.
This makes them quite soft and prone to damage.
Pearls have their own issues, and to keep their wonderful lustre they should be wiped down after every wear to remove dirt and oils from the surfaces

Opals are ring about mid way on the scale at 5-6.5
Pendants, earrings and brooches with opals are normally just fine for daily wearing, but rings need a little more care.

At the end of all this the choice is totally yours, but we are always willing to talk through options or alternatives with you so you know which gem might be better suited to your personal needs.