Jewellery that has been manufactured using gemstones has always been popular throughout history. Different gemstones meant different things to ancient civilisations and were worn for decoration or for a practical purpose such as an amulet. Today most gemstones are worn simply for pleasure and decoration. Gemstone jewellery has never been more popular.

Some of the more well known gemstones will probably be those that are associated with birthstones. Every month in the calendar year has a gemstone allied to it as a birthstone. This can be a wonderful idea for a gift to give someone special a present of their birthstone. There are certain gemstones that we associate with certain events in our lives. For instance, diamonds have become synonymous with the event of getting engaged. Most couples opt for a diamond engagement ring and this is fast becoming a tradition. Another wonderful gemstone that
can be associated with a certain event is the ruby. This gemstone is extremely popular as an anniversary present and is also becoming popular as an engagement ring stone. The ruby red colour symbolises love and passion and so this makes the ruby stone most fitting for the occasion.

Gemstones like precious metals are also very versatile for use in the manufacture of jewellery. They are used to make all types of jewellery including pendants, rings, earrings, bracelets, brooches etc. The list could go on and on! When used in jewellery gemstones are normally set with another metal such as gold, silver or platinum. Different gemstones can be enhanced by the setting, so choose carefully, for example, sapphires are stunning when set with white gold. When you are buying your gemstone make sure to buy as good a quality stone as your budget will allow and make sure that the carat weight of the stone has been certified and that you receive a certificate to confirm this.