The word garnet comes from the 14th-century word gernet, which means dark red. However, red Almandine and Rhodolite isn't the only color for garnet, it also comes in orange, purple, Malaia: Mushroom brownish pink, Mali: yellow and green. Mined in Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria and Namibia. Unlike other varieties of gems garnets can differ in hardness, brilliance and fire.

Spessartite is a stunning yellowish orange

Tsavorite is a beautiful variety, which comes in a vivid emerald green. Hardness of 7.5

Vivid purple quartz and a range of tones of purple, amethyst is the birthstone for people born in February. The name comes from the Greek word methustos, which means intoxicated. The ancient Greeks wore the stone as they believed that it could prevent the wearer from getting drunk.

It's one of the most commonly found minerals worldwide, however, the largest deposits are found in Brazil and Uruguay. Hardness 6-7

Aquamarine, a serene colored stone of watery ocean aqua, is a variety of beryl. Historically a popular gem, tones of light blue, greeny blue to strong. Mined now in Brazil, Madagascar, India, Pakistan and Mozambique. Popular in the art deco period. Hardness 7.5

Bloodstone, which is opaque dark-green chalcedony quartz with red spots of iron oxide, consists largely of Jasper. Hardness 6

Diamond is one of the most desired gemstones, it is the hardest material and its scintillation, dispertion and beauty is the result of total internal reflection if well cut. Fancy coloured diamonds are very popular and come in Yellow, champagne and pink hues. In Australia we produce pink diamonds from the Argyle mine, and yellow from the Ellendale mine.

Diamonds are internationally graded with the four C’s Cut, Colour, Clarity and Weight.
*The carat weight is a metric weight, being one fifth of a gram, not a size.

We supply GIA and other recognised diamond grading certifications with our stones complete with laser inscriptions.

As a GAA trained diamond grader, we ensure the quality, cut and will select a beautiful stones that is perfect for you.

Hardness 10

Emerald is a stunning bluish green to green variety of the beryl group and has been used in jewellry for over 4000 years.

Fine quality emeralds display an exquisite colour and scintillation but are extremely rare to find totally clean internally. Mined in Zambia, Columbia, Brazil and Pakistan, emeralds are cut into various shapes including the traditional emerald-cut, oval, round, pear and square.

Hardness 7.5

Pearls with their beautiful lustre are timeless. Available in Southsea saltwater and freshwater. Hues from white, cream, golden, and black. Hardness 3.5 to 4

Alexandrite, discovered in the Ural mountains of Russia and named after the Czar Alexander, are the rarest of gemstones. Not only beautiful with durability it exhibits an impressive colour change effect, going from a blue/green in daylight to purplish red in tungsten light. Limited mining in Brazil, Sri Laanka, Madagascar and India. Hardness 8.5

Moonstone from the feldspar group is named for the phases of the moon, it has the most beautiful pearly and opalescent schiller. The finest moonstones come from Burma and Sri Lanka. Hardness 7

Ruby is historically a popular stone that represents love and is the stone for 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries. The red variety of the corundum mideral group, recent mining localities are Mozambique and Madagascar since there is minimal production from Burma, Thailand and Tanzania. Rubies above 1.5ct are extremely rare.

Hardness 9

Peridot, A vibrant grassy, yellowish to deep green, can be found in Burma and Arizona. Highly prized in the Ottoman empire. Hardness 6.5

Sardonyx is a chalcedony quartz variety, showing reddish stripes on the stone, formed of thin layers of of fine-grained fibrous crystals

Hardness 6

Spinel has become very popular. Typically red and pink, through to blue, purple and grey, they have a very attractive and lively dispersion. Found in Burma, Madagascar, Vietnam and Sri lanka Hardness 8-8.5

Blue sapphire has been found in numerous countries but the vibrant mid to royal blue is now only mined in Sri Lanka and Madagascar. Fine velvet blue was mined in Kashmir and Burma but they have not produced for many decades. Sapphires also occur in a wonderful spectrum of colours including yellow, pink, orange, green, purple and a rare orange-pink, known as Padparadscha. Teal and Parti sapphires are found in Australia, and are very popular, named for the blue, green and yellow colours found in one gemstone.

Hardness 9

Opal is a form of silica and has been valued since antiquity due to its play of colour. The rarest opals come from Lightning Ridge in Australia, they are known as black opals. The opals are mined in Andamooka and Coober Pedy. Fire opal is found predominantly in Mexico and has an orange semi-transparent appearance . Hardness 5.5-6

Tourmaline is a beautiful gem, and is available in exquisite hues and tones of a wide range of colours including pink, green, peach and red. Mainly mined in Brazil, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Namibia and Kenya. Mint, teal and bluish tones are extremely popular due to the Paraiba mine in Brazil.
Hardness 7.7

Topaz is most common in colourless, which is heated to produce a variety of blue tones. It is also avaliable in the unheated golden and yellow but very little in pink. The fine variety of topaz is called golden or imperial. Brazil, Madagascar and Afghanistan are the countries of origin. Hardness 8

Citrine is a yellow variety of quartz, and widely available, of which the major supply is mined in Brazil. Hardness 7

Tanzanite, captivating in an exquisite indigo blue, predominantly from the Merelani hills in Tanzania, highly pleochroic. Hardness 6.5-7

Zircon displays brilliance and fire, they are available in colourless, blue, bluish green, yellow, brown and pinkish brown. Found in Sri lanka, Thailand, Tanzania, Burmau, Madagascar and Cambodia. Hardness 6-7.5 *Not to be confused with the man made diamond imitation, cubic zirconia

Choosing a gem birthstone can be a thoughtful way to begin creating a custom jewellery piece, as a birthday gift, a memory of a special someone, or for yourself.

Round brilliant cut. Circular in shape with 58 facets divided amongst its crown, and pavilion. 75% of diamonds are cut round brilliant.

Oval brilliant cut. As with round, approximately 69 facets, usually hand cut to show the best hue in a gemstone.

Emerald cut. Also called the step cut. Rectangular cut with truncated corners, it is often used to cut emeralds and Aquamarines. It shows a large table and step cut pavilion. Beautiful in diamond.

Baguette cut. Long and rectangular in shape, manly diamond, they are a popular choice as accent stones.

Tapered Baguette cut. Usually small, rectangular step cut diamonds, one end is larger, leading to a taper, also used as accent stones.

Asscher cut. Usually square octagonal in shape, can be rectangular, a step cut diamond or gemstone. Like looking into a hall of mirrors.

Princess cut. A square modified brilliant cut, it has a brilliant style of faceting that produces more sparkle than a traditional square step cut, more like that of a brilliant cut.

Radiant cut. A combination of the princess and cushion cut, 4 sided with its four corners cut in a straight line unlike the rounded cushion. Introduced in the 1970’s.

Marquise cut. Also known as boat, navette (in french means  little ship) features 58 facets, a long elliptical shape with pointed ends, and brilliant perfect symmetry.

Cushion cut. Also known as antique, pillow, old mine or old european cut. Approximately 64 facets and square or rectangle with gently rounded corners.

Pear Shape cut. Also teardrop. A modified round brilliant cut of 71 facets, also shows perfect symmetry.

Heart cut. Is in essence a pear shaped cut with a cleft in the top, 59 facets or superb sparkle.

Trillion cut. Triangular in shape, the edges may be slightly rounded for setting, the uncurved variation is called a trilliant. Formed with 31 to 43 facets, symmetry and proportions are cut to maximise dispersion of light.

Briolette cut. Is a 3 dimensional drop cut, 84 triangular facets covering its dangling surface.

Fancy cut. Also known as single cut diamonds having fewer than the 57/58 facets, also hand cut gemstones. It can be referred to for various cuts, except round brilliant.

Cabochon cut.  is polished with no cuts, a domed top and flat bottom (caboche in french means head) Some stones are cut to show asterism and other features, which can only be seen in Cabochon cutting.

Buff top cut. The top is domed in cabochon fashion while the bottom is faceted, popular in mens jewellery for wearability.