Gemstone Guide
Discover the Beauty of Gemstones
Gemstones have been treasured for centuries for their beauty, rarity and individuality. Whether you're choosing an engagement ring, a meaningful gift or creating a bespoke piece of jewellery, understanding the characteristics of different gemstones can help you make the perfect choice.
Natural Gemstones
Natural gemstones are formed over millions of years through geological processes deep within the Earth. Each gemstone is unique, with its own colour, inclusions and natural characteristics that make every stone one of a kind.
Popular Gemstones
We work with a wide range of beautiful gemstones, including sapphires, rubies, emeralds, aquamarines, amethysts, topaz, garnets, tourmalines, peridots, opals, tanzanites, morganites and many other precious and semi-precious gemstones. Each offers its own unique beauty and character.
Sapphire
Best known for its rich blue colour, sapphire is available in a wide range of colours, including pink, yellow, green and white. It is one of the hardest gemstones, making it an excellent choice for everyday jewellery and engagement rings.
Ruby
Ruby is admired for its vibrant red colour and exceptional durability. As a member of the corundum family, it is one of the most valuable coloured gemstones and has long been associated with love, passion and strength.
Emerald
Emerald is prized for its beautiful green colour and distinctive natural inclusions, often referred to as the stone's "garden". Due to its natural characteristics, emerald requires a little more care than harder gemstones.
Aquamarine
Aquamarine is valued for its clear blue tones and elegant appearance. It is a durable gemstone that suits a wide range of jewellery styles and is popular for both engagement rings and special occasion jewellery.
Opal
Opal is famous for its unique play of colour, displaying flashes of different colours as it catches the light. Because opals are softer than many other gemstones, they require careful handling and are best protected from knocks and sudden temperature changes.
Tourmaline
Tourmaline is available in an impressive variety of colours, from vibrant greens and blues to pinks and multi-coloured stones. Its versatility makes it a popular choice for bespoke jewellery.
Tanzanite
Tanzanite is admired for its striking blue-violet colour and rarity, as it is found in only one region of the world. It should be worn with care due to its relative softness compared with sapphire or diamond.
Choosing the Right Gemstone
When selecting a gemstone, consider more than just colour. Durability, hardness, rarity, symbolism and suitability for everyday wear are all important factors. Our experienced team will be happy to help you choose the perfect gemstone for your jewellery.
Gemstone Treatments
Some natural gemstones may undergo industry-accepted treatments to enhance their appearance, colour or clarity. Where known, we will always provide appropriate information regarding any significant treatments applied to a gemstone.
Caring for Your Gemstone Jewellery
Every gemstone has different care requirements. Regular cleaning, careful storage and routine inspections will help keep your jewellery looking its best. Softer gemstones should be protected from impact, harsh chemicals and extreme temperatures.
Need Expert Advice?
If you would like help choosing a gemstone or designing a bespoke piece of jewellery, our experienced team is always happy to offer friendly, honest advice and guide you through the available options.
Visit us
McCulloch Jewellers, 7 The Square, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 2JG. Telephone 0115 925 7552.