"Your Journey into the World of Gemstones Starts Here!"
For thousands of years, coloured gemstones have been treasured as talismans, connected to the earth, and infused with spiritual energy. However, gemstone colour and quality are complex due to imperfections, which act as a mark of their origin and uniqueness. The colour of gemstones, has three components:
- Hue, which reflects the basic colours we see. Most conversations about colour are really about hue.
- Saturation, which refers to the intensity of the hue.
- Tone, which refers to a gem’s relative shade, ranging from light to dark.
Pearls
Pearls are called the gemstones of the sea – the only gemstones created by living organisms. They have captivated human imagination since ancient times, being cherished in Ancient Egypt, India, and China. Whether naturally occurring, or cultivated, Pearls exude a timeless elegance, their soft glow illuminating your personal radiance. The most prized are South Sea Pearls from the southern Pacific, with their golden overtones, followed by the Pearls of Ceylon.
Pearls range from iridescent whites to lustrous creams, soft pinks, and rare blacks. Each Pearl can be identified by tiny ridges and valleys – its unique fingerprint. However, Pearls are fragile (2.5 and 4.5 on the Mohs Scale), and susceptible to acid (such as vinegar), scratching and crushing. Despite their fragility, Pearls make elegant everyday companions, especially in earrings and necklaces. But they shine best when worn on special occasions, whether with an elegant black party dress or a wedding gown.
Remember to remove them before showering, swimming, or wearing makeup, deodorant or perfumes. Clean them with a soft, damp, lint-free cloth.
Emeralds
Emerald is a form of the mineral beryl (Be3Al2(SiO3)6), with a hardness of 7.5–8 on the Mohs Scale. The green colour is conferred by traces of chromium and vanadium, ranging from pale to dark, with subtle blue or yellow undertones. The most prized are Zambian, Colombian, or Brazilian Emeralds.
Being natural gemstones, each Emerald has feather-like markings and liquid droplets that act as natural fingerprints. These imperfections add personality to your stone. While we pick Emeralds for their uniqueness, we avoid those with black inclusions or surface fractures (which can cause breaking).
While the traditional emerald cut exudes timeless elegance, modern cuts like the oval, round, and cushion cuts allow the stone’s full lustre to shine through. Emeralds are suitable for both daily wear and for occasions, whether set in a ring, pendant, or earrings. With their deep colour and association with fortune, Emeralds make the centre-piece of our Pechaka Collection.
As Emeralds demand gentle care, here are some tips:
- Make sure to remove Emerald jewelry during physical activities.
- To clean, use lukewarm water and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Avoid soap or harsh chemicals that will remove the natural oils present in the Emerald.
- If you feel the colour has faded a bit, place your Emerald in a cup of colourless oil like cedarwood oil for a few hours. This will replenish the oils and restore colour.
- As Emeralds are sensitive to heat and cold, don’t wear them in hot places like kitchens or saunas, and cold places like skating or hockey rinks.
Sapphires
Sapphires have captivated human imagination from antiquity with their vibrant hues and unparalleled durability, of 9 on the Mohs Scale (close to Diamonds). Belonging to the mineral family corundum, Sapphires come in a kaleidoscope of colours – blue, yellow, pink, violet, green, and orange. Blue Sapphire, coloured by iron and titanium inclusions, is revered as the stone of truth, hope, and harmony. Yellow Sapphires, infused with iron, is said to stand for wisdom, happiness, and prosperity.
Sapphires hail from ancient lands – Sri Lanka, Thailand, Madagascar, and Myanmar. At AUWL Assembly, we not only seek out Sapphires of exceptional quality, clarity, colour and cut, but also only those that are ethically mined.
Sapphires lend themselves to various cuts with ease. Each cut unlocks the gemstone's beauty, balancing symmetry, colour, and sparkle. For rounded edges and a soft allure, choose the cushion cut, while the emerald cut showcases the gem’s clarity and subtlety. Whether set in a ring, pendant, or earrings, Sapphires are more than just adornment – they lend themselves as heirlooms for generations to come.
While tough and resistant to fracturing and fading, Sapphires still need gentle care. Avoid harsh chemicals, simply cleaning with warm soapy water and a soft-bristled toothbrush will keep them shining.
Rubies
The deep, rich red hue of Rubies, evokes passion, power, and nobility, prized for millennia by royalty and aristocrats worldwide. Rubies belong to the corundum mineral family, alongside Sapphires, scoring 9 on the Mohs hardness scale. Made up of aluminium oxide crystals, their distinct red colour comes from chromium inclusions. The level of chromium leads to colours ranging from pink to orange to deep red. Heat treatment enhances the colour and shine of Rubies.
While Rubies hail from Myanmar, Thailand, and Mozambique, we care that the Rubies we pick come from ethical sources only. At AUWL Assembly, we prize that no two Rubies are alike, as each bears unique characteristics that set it apart, depending on the conditions of formation. Thus, we carefully pick our Rubies to match the cut you prefer.
Rubies are tough and resistant to breaking, but they still need gentle care. Clean your Ruby jewelry with lukewarm soapy water and a soft toothbrush, and avoid harsh chemicals like bleach.
Red Corals
Like Pearls, Corals are created by living organisms. They make a hard skeleton of calcium carbonate, which over generations make up beautiful Coral reefs. While not smooth or transparent like other gemstones, the feel and texture of Coral is much valued.
Red Coral contains small amounts of elements like magnesium and iron that give it its rich colour. While bright reds are preferred, shades vary from salmon pink to crimson. The waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the seas around Japan yield the most valued Red Corals.
Since they are made in nature, Red Corals have natural inclusions that add to their uniqueness. These include pale or dark spots, lines, or pits, which are part of its unique texture and character. The quality, origin, and authenticity of Red Corals are important to us, as we make your jewelry only from the best pieces. Nevertheless, because of their nature, no two Red Corals will ever be alike.
Coral is fragile compared to other gemstones, scoring only 3.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight, heat, or harsh chemicals. Ultrasonic cleaning will cause cracks in the stone. To clean your Coral-based pieces, just use a soft-bristled brush, mild soap, and lukewarm water. Dry them with a soft, damp, lint-free cloth.