Gemstone Meanings: What Each Stone Symbolises

Every gemstone has a story. For thousands of years, people have worn stones for the meanings they carry: love, courage, calm, protection and good fortune. Whether you're choosing a gift for someone special or you're drawn to a stone yourself, this guide walks through what each gemstone in our sterling silver collection is traditionally said to symbolise.

These meanings come from folklore, tradition and crystal practice rather than science, so treat them as inspiration and choose whatever feels right to you. Looking for a stone by birth month instead? Try our birthstone guide.

Love, Passion and the Heart

Rose Quartz

Soft, blush pink and known as the stone of love, rose quartz is associated with compassion, kindness and self-love. Explore rose quartz jewellery.

Garnet

Deep, velvety red garnet is traditionally linked with passion, vitality and protection. Explore garnet jewellery.

Ruby

The fiery red ruby has long been a symbol of passion, courage and devotion, prized by cultures around the world. Explore ruby jewellery.

Emerald

Vivid green emerald is known as the stone of successful love, associated with loyalty, harmony and renewal. Explore emerald jewellery.

Calm and Clear Communication

Amethyst

Ranging from pale lilac to deep, regal purple, amethyst is associated with calm, clarity and spiritual awareness. A favourite for quiet moments and meditation. Explore amethyst jewellery.

Aquamarine

The colour of clear seawater, aquamarine is traditionally linked with courage, tranquillity and honest communication. Sailors once carried it for protection at sea. Explore aquamarine jewellery.

Aqua Chalcedony

A soft, sea-blue stone associated with calm, friendship and gentle self-expression. Explore aqua chalcedony jewellery.

Larimar

With swirling blues and whites that recall the Caribbean sea, larimar is associated with peace, serenity and speaking from the heart. Explore larimar jewellery.

Kyanite

With its silky blue shimmer, kyanite is associated with calm, alignment and clear communication. Explore kyanite jewellery.

Opalite

Opalite is a man-made stone with a soft, milky-blue glow, associated with communication, transition and gentle, supportive energy. Explore opalite jewellery.

Courage and Confidence

Carnelian

Glowing orange-red carnelian is associated with confidence, courage and motivation, and was once worn by warriors for strength. Explore carnelian jewellery.

Tiger's Eye

Golden-brown bands of shimmering light make tiger's eye a stone of courage, protection and grounded confidence. Explore tiger's eye jewellery.

Citrine

Golden citrine brings sunshine to any outfit and is associated with joy, confidence and abundance. Explore citrine jewellery.

Protection and Grounding

Black Onyx

Sleek, glossy black onyx is linked with strength, grounding and self-mastery, and has long been worn as a protective stone. Explore black onyx jewellery.

Turquoise

Worn for centuries, turquoise is associated with protection, good fortune, friendship and positive thinking. Explore turquoise jewellery.

Green Onyx

Deep, calming green onyx is linked with balance, fresh starts and steady, positive energy. Explore green onyx jewellery.

Intuition and New Beginnings

Moonstone

Ethereal and luminous, moonstone seems to shift and glow as it catches the light. It's associated with intuition, feminine energy and new beginnings. Explore moonstone jewellery.

Opal

Celebrated for its shifting flashes of rainbow colour, opal is associated with creativity, inspiration and transformation. Explore opal jewellery.

Prehnite

Soft green prehnite, sometimes called the dream stone, is associated with calm, intuition and gentle, positive energy. Explore prehnite jewellery.

Labradorite

With flashes of blue and green that shimmer like the northern lights, labradorite is associated with intuition, transformation and protection. Explore labradorite jewellery.

Wisdom, Loyalty and Truth

Sapphire

Best known for its deep blue, sapphire has been prized for centuries and represents wisdom, loyalty and truth. Explore sapphire jewellery.

How to Choose Your Stone

Not sure where to start? Begin with a feeling you'd like to carry with you, a colour you love, or the person you're buying for. There's no wrong answer, only the stone that feels right. Once you've chosen, our jewellery care guide will help it stay beautiful for years, and you can browse our best sellers for inspiration.