Gemstones like emerald, ruby and sapphire stand out for their intense colours and rich histories.
Emerald can be recognised by its deep green, now a colour in its own right. It is also the only gemstone to have lent its name to a type of cut. Its name comes from the Greek smaragdos, which probably derives from a Semitic term meaning “to shine”. Prized since ancient times, notably by Cleopatra, emerald is associated with renewal, honesty and integrity. The birthstone for May, it also symbolises 20 years of marriage.
With its intense red, ruby is a rare variety of corundum. Its name comes from the Latin ruber, which means “red”. Seen throughout history as a royal gemstone, it was known in India as ratnaraj, “king of gemstones”. Today, the ruby symbolises passion and love. The birthstone for July, it is also associated with the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.
Sapphire also belongs to the corundum family. This term refers to gem-quality corundum of all colours except red. While sapphire comes in many shades, blue remains the most emblematic. Its name derives from the Ancient Greek sappheiros and the Hebrew sappir, both of which are associated with this colour. Since antiquity, sapphire has symbolised sincerity, loyalty and truth. The birthstone for September, it is traditionally associated with the 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries.