Amethyst:

The most popular of the Quartz group, Amethyst is a transparent purple stone.  The name is derived from the Greek word ‘Amethustos’ meaning ‘not drunken.’ It was believed that Amethyst could deter the effects of alcohol and was used to adorn wine goblets.

Deeper shades are considered the most valuable however paler ‘lavender pink’ shades of Amethyst are fast becoming desirable. The pale stone is sometimes referred to as ‘Rose de France’ and has developed a reputation as an accessible and alternative stone for Morganite or Kunzite.

Leonardo Da Vinci wrote that Amethyst could dissipate evil thoughts and increase intelligence. Crystal healers and ‘New Age’ followers believe that Amethyst contains the ability to reverse negative energy. At PASCAL, we believe that Amethyst has the ability to invoke admiration and desire.

Deposits are found across the world in Brazil, Madagasca, Zambia, Burma, India and many other locations.

Green Amethyst:

The gemmological name for ‘Green Amethyst’ is ‘Prasiolite’. Named after the Greek word ‘Prason’ (which disappointingly means leek), ‘Prasiolite’ hosts a spectrum of green shades.

Citrine:

Another member of the quartz family, Citrine is named after the French word for lemon – Citron. Available in a colour palette from lemon yellow to red brown, darker tones are of higher value and often called Madeira Citrine, after the colour of the wine.  The dark Madeira colour is developed through a high level of iron impurities during a volcanic eruption – the source to developing Citrine.

Citrine is rated 7 on the Mohs Hardness scale but is prone to breaking or cracking if unprotected. The stone should be shielded from direct sunlight or excessive heat to prevent the colour fading.

Thought to remove toxins from the body, Citrine is still used as natural healing for many disorders. At PASCAL, we believe that the vibrant stone (when set in 18ct gold) makes for the ultimate natural healing for wardrobe malfunction; this lively and vivacious stone makes an impressive impact.

Blue Topaz:

Blue Topaz is a variety of the Topaz stone discovered in Sri Lanka.  Formed through irradiation and heat treatment, Blue Topaz is available in pale to sky blue.

Despite a rating of 8 on the Mohs scale, Topaz can be split easily by a single blow – similar to a diamond.

New-Age stone therapy uses Topaz to heal insomnia and asthma and, like Citrine, it is believed to prevent the effects of evil. At PASCAL we find the intense colour capable of eye-catching appeal.

Peridot:

Allegedly named after the Arabic word for gem – Faridat, Peridot can be traced back to the Egyptian era making it one of the oldest stones in jewellery design. The Egyptian Peridot was produced after a small volcanic eruption in the Red Sea.  However the popularity for Peridot reduced considerably until it was rediscovered in 1900 in Pakistan.

Peridot can be found in yellow-green, olive or brownish green and is registered at 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. Despite the soft listing of the stone, Peridot is an easy stone to wear and does not require any special care. Also called Chrysolite, the mineral name for Peridot is Olivine due to the olive-green palette.

The green intensity of Peridot has helped maintain it as a popular stone during Spring/Summer.

A vulture engraved on a Peridot is said to give the wearer the power to control demons. At PASCAL we find that a Peridot set in 18ct yellow gold gives the wearer the power to attract.

Iolite:

Iolite – the ‘Gem of the Vikings’ – is an incredibly useful stone due to its ‘pleochroism’ attribute. ‘Pleochroism’ is a gem property which changes the stone colour when viewed in different directions of the axes. Viking explorers used the stone to help locate the correct position of the sun whilst navigating across the sea. These gemstones were likely to be mined from Norway and Greenland however, the stone is now readily available (and affordable) from across the world.

Named after the Greek word for violet – Ios, Iolite is yellow when viewed along the x axis, darker blue/violet along the y axis and a lighter blue along the z-axis. When cut correctly the stone is violet or a blue/purple blend.

The deep and intense colour is thought to balance male and female energy. Shaman healers use Iolite to align spirits, at PASCAL, we find our collections are used to provide a powerful and tantalising effect.

Rhodolite:

A member of the Garnet family, Rhodolite is a purple/red stone. The chemical structure of garnets provides a resistant and sturdy gem stone that can be easily worked into jewellery. The deep colour of Rhodolite was believed to protect and illuminate in the darkness; it is also suggested that Noah used a Garnet lantern when steering his ark in the darkness.

Aquamarine:

Latin for ‘Water of the Sea’, Aquamarine is one of the most popular and attractive gem stones. 

A relative of the Emerald, Aquamarine is a member of the Beryl group. Registering 7-8 on the Mohs’ hardness scale, the stone is a jeweller’s favourite for fine craftsmanship. Predominately found in Brazil, Aquamarine is the state gem of Colorado in the USA.

The light blue palette of Aquamarine is derived from the effect of Iron. The blue hews and delicate transparency is most valuable; Aquamarine is also almost free of inclusions.

The blue stone is thought to originate in the treasure chest of mermaids and is therefore considered a lucky amulet for sailors. Another belief is that Aquamarine can achieve a joyous and happy marriage, thus making a popular wedding gemstone. At PASCAL, we believe Aquamarine provides the ultimate wedding accessory or gift.

Quartz:

Originally called ‘Krysatallos’ (meaning ice), by the Greeks, it was thought that the gods had frozen water to produce such a stone. Variations in colour, found across the world, are caused by impurities from natural resources such as radiation or metals. Macrocrystalline quartz is recognizable to the naked eye and consists of:

Smoky Quartz:

The national gem of Scotland, Smoky Quartz is a brown variation from the Quartz family. The crystalline stone is produced through radiation in the earths crust and darker shades are often referred to as ‘Morion’ and ‘Caingorm.’ Smoky Quartz rates at 6-8 on the Moh’s hardness scale.

Rutilated Quartz

Transparent stone featuring golden needles (inclusions) in abstract patterns. Thought to be the captured hair of Venus, the needles are also referred to as ‘Venus hair’.

Rutilated Quartz is believed to draw negative energy into itself and should be cleansed often with moon or sunlight. Whilst we cannot confirm this we do agree that the stone should be regularly cleaned. Please visit our ‘Jewellery Care’ section for further details.

Rose Quartz

A powder pink variation, Rose Quartz is a pale and often translucent stone. Formed by the interference of Titanium, the texture of Rose Quartz is often crackled despite a Moh’s hardest scale of 7. Only large clear stones can be facetted into gemstones for jewellery setting. The delicate coloured stone promised peace and happiness in relationships.

Lemon Quartz

A citrus blend of colour.

Green Quartz

A deep and vibrant stone.

Sapphire:

Part of the Corundum Group of gemstones (the other being Ruby), it is believed that the name ‘Sapphire’ is Persian for ‘beloved of Saturn’.  Sapphire has enjoyed a long history as the carrier of ‘good luck’. The blue stone is often associated with divinity; Pope Innocent II would hand a single Sapphire to each of his bishops. At PASCAL, Sapphires are associated with divine indulgence.

Originally considered a blue-only stone, sapphire is also available in pink, yellow, purple and green. Both members of the Corundum group are produced by the crystallisation of aluminium oxide - influence from iron and titanium produce a blue hew; small deposits of iron result in yellow and chromium produces pink. Rating grade 9 in the Mohs Hardness scale, Sapphire, along with Ruby, is second in the hardness scale – following behind diamond.

The most desired colour is ‘corn-flower’ blue which is often found in Sri Lanka or Kashmir.  Sapphires are also found in India, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia and Africa.

Ruby:

Considered the stone for Kings, Ruby has a prosperous history as one of the most valuable stones in jewellery. Hindu culture believes that Rubies protect against harm; legend states that they sprang from the blood of the demon God Vala.  Chinese Mandarins are assigned rubies for their high ranking whilst rubbing a Ruby against skin is said to attain a youthful appearance. Although we like to believe that wearing a Ruby will result in an inspiring appearance.

The name Ruby can be derived from ‘ratnaraj’ in Sanskrit or ‘ruber’ meaning ‘red’ in Latin. The quantity of ruby is limited due to disturbances during production thus increasing exclusivity. 

The deep red colour of Ruby is produced from chrome. However, chrome is also responsible for causing fissures and tiny irregularities inside the crystal which can prevent crystallisation. Irregularities that are caused after crystallisation are considered fingerprints of ruby and often disregarded. Discovered in Burma, the radiant stone is also known for turning florescent under ultraviolet light.

Emerald:

The colour of beauty and love, Emerald has enjoyed one of the longest histories as a desired and regal stone. Discovered by the Red Sea, an area now referred to as ‘Cleopatra’s Mines’, Emeralds held a prominent position in ancient Egyptian jewellery. According to Indian Holy Scriptures, the grass green stone can evoke good luck and ‘enhances the well-being’. At PASCAL we prefer to believe that the deep and dramatic colour charms and tempts admirers.

Derived from the Beryl family of gemstones, it is believed that Emeralds started growing 2600million years ago. Chemicals chromium and vanadium are responsible for the colour in Emerald; the two compounds produce a hard (7-8 on the Mohs scale) yet brittle stone which can make jewellery setting quite complex. This surface is now universally oiled to fill or prevent the cracks that Emerald is prone to.

Emeralds can range from almost colourless to almost black however the most desirable and valuable is a dark velvety green.

Pearl:

An organic gemstone known to man for over 5000 years, Pearls are a natural and rare luxury, desired long before diamonds and gold. According to legend, Cleopatra bet Mark Anthony that she could eat the entire value of a province in one meal – she then crushed up a perfect pearl and drank it with her wine. At PASCAL we recommend adorning oneself in this natural entity for a beautiful and much healthier effect.

The culturing process behind these timeless creations requires skilled implantation of an ‘irritant’ into the mollusc which begins the ‘nacre’ process – the mollusc coats the irritant in proteins to protect its own delicate tissue. The proteins form Mother of Pearl and this process is repeated layer upon layer until a pearl is created. The quality of a pearl is dependant on the area of cultivation; many different shapes and colours can occur due to the type of irritant, the type of water and also the type of mollusc itself.

Pearls produced in Tahitian waters are of the highest calibre as less than 5% of every oyster mollusc will produce the natural black or ‘peacock’ hues and sizes. The South Sea molluscs follow in suit with quality and produce a golden palette. Due to the dramatic colours of Tahitian and South Sea pearls, each pearl is a rare creation with no identical strand available anywhere in the world.

Freshwater pearls, produced in mussel molluscs, draw attention for their subtle shades of white, pink and black. The classic style pearl is the most popular in jewellery design; grown in lakes around China the pearls can be developed in a variety of shapes and sizes, suitable for all tastes. The layered structure of pearls produces an exquisite and enduring gemstone, its deep lustre and varied hues are flattering to all skin tones and make the perfect choice for a timeless, luxurious gift to be treasured and handed down from generation to generation.

Tourmaline:

The gemstone of the ‘rainbow’, Tourmaline is the most unique stone available today. Due to the mixed colours, no single stone resembles another. Named from Singhalese words ‘tura mali’, meaning ‘stone with mixed colours’, the contrasting hews are thought to render long-lasting friendship. At PASCAL, we believe they render long-lasting adoration.

Tourmalines are mixed crystals of aluminium boron silicate which formulate the complex colour variations. Deep red shades have been named ‘Rubellite’ providing they display the same intensity in either day or artificial light. If a difference occurs, the stone is named ‘Pink Tourmaline’. Tourmaline variations have many different names due to the available diversity of colour, the most popular hews are called ‘Verdelite’, also known as ‘Green Tourmaline’.

At PASCAL, we have selections of pink and green tourmaline but most interesting of all is our watermelon tourmaline. Thought to balance the male and female energies, natural healers use the stone to heal the heart and emotions.

Large quantities of Tourmaline are found in Brazil, Sri Lanka, South and South-West Africa.

Turquoise:

One of the oldest stones in jewellery history, Turquoise has adorned ornaments and jewellery since approximately 3000BC. Introduced to Europe during the crusades, the name is derived from the French word for ‘Turkish Stone’ however it has was also once known as ‘Fayruz’ in ancient Arabia.

The bringer of happiness, good fortune, and the deflector of evil spirits; the sky-blue tones of Turquoise received a high accolade in the past for preventing doom or unnatural death. The whimsical stone was found in Ancient Egyptian grave furnishings to ensure a safe and fortunate transcendence. At PASCAL, believe the stone can still endow the gift of happiness; the bright and popular colour is a wonderfully uplifting tone to make even the most reticent smile.

With a hardness level of 6, the stone is produced from copper aluminium phosphate – all three elements work together to produce the blue-greenish appearance of this summer stone. Light grey or brown veins run through the stone known as the ‘turquoise matrix’. These veins are microscopic and almost undetectable by human eye.

The highest quantity of turquoise is found in the USA but the highest in quality originates from north Iran. Increased contact with skin oils or cosmetics can affect the stone vibrancy, please visit out Jewellery Care section for further details on how to treat your gemstones.