A-Z directory of Gemstones

Citrine 

Citrine is a bright, warm quartz variety prized for its golden‑yellow to honey‑amber colour, caused by traces of iron within the crystal structure. Technically, it sits at 7 on the Mohs scale, making it durable enough for everyday jewellery while still taking an excellent polish, which is why jewellers love working with it. Its clarity, stable colour and resistance to scratching make it especially good for rings and pendants that see regular wear. Historically, citrine has been used since antiquity — the ancient Greeks carved it into intaglios, and it became hugely popular in the Victorian era and again in the Art Deco period, when its bold colour suited geometric designs. Today, it remains one of the most accessible and cheerful gemstones, offering the look of yellow topaz at a far more affordable price

Prasiolite

Prasiolite - often called green amethyst - is a pale green variety of quartz created when heat alters the iron content within the crystal, giving it its distinctive soft, mint‑to‑sage colouring. With a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, it’s durable enough for everyday jewellery and takes a crisp, glassy polish, which is why jewellers enjoy cutting it into clean, modern shapes that show off its clarity. Its gentle green tone pairs beautifully with both silver and yellow gold, making it versatile for contemporary and minimalist designs. Historically, natural prasiolite is quite rare; most material on the market began as amethyst that transformed through natural geothermal heat or controlled heating, a process known and used since the early 20th century. Today, it’s appreciated for offering an elegant, refreshing colour at an accessible price, giving jewellery a light, airy feel without sacrificing durability or sparkle.

Smoky Quartz

Smoky quartz is a rich, atmospheric variety of quartz known for its natural brown‑to‑charcoal colouring, caused by trace aluminium in the crystal lattice exposed to natural radiation over millions of years. Sitting at 7 on the Mohs scale, it’s a tough, reliable gemstone that handles daily wear well, making it ideal for rings, pendants and statement pieces that need both presence and durability. Its clarity ranges from transparent “whisky” tones to deep, velvety near‑black, giving jewellers huge flexibility in design - it pairs beautifully with silver for a cool, modern look, or with yellow gold for a warm, vintage feel. Historically, smoky quartz has been used since ancient times, with notable popularity in Scotland, where “Cairngorm” smoky quartz became a hallmark of traditional Highland jewellery. Today it remains a favourite for its moody elegance, affordability and the way it brings depth and sophistication to both minimalist and bold jewellery styles.

Tourmaline Rutilated Quartz

Rutilated quartz with black tourmaline inclusions is one of those stones that looks dramatic before you even know what you’re looking at. Technically, it’s a variety of clear or smoky quartz that has grown around slender needles of black tourmaline (schorl), creating striking in‑stone patterns that can look like ink strokes, lightning bolts or abstract brushwork. Because quartz sits at 7 on the Mohs scale, it’s durable enough for rings, pendants and bracelets, while the tourmaline inclusions add visual depth without compromising strength. In jewellery, it’s loved for its bold, modern look — every piece is naturally one‑of‑a‑kind, and the contrast of clear quartz with jet‑black inclusions makes it easy to pair with silver, gold or mixed‑metal designs. Historically, rutilated and included quartzes were prized in many cultures for their “captured energy” appearance, and black tourmaline in quartz has long been associated with grounding and protection. Today, it remains a favourite for contemporary designers and collectors who want gemstones with character, texture and a story visible right under the surface.