Emerald gemstones are a green variety of the beryl mineral, which also includes aquamarine. Some gemstone dealers refer to the inclusions of emeralds as the jardin, or garden. HBJ loves emeralds for their complex inclusions, facets, and rich, green hues that embody Mother Nature's favorite season: spring.
MOHs Hardness: 7.5-8 but brittle due to common inclusions.
Origins: Various
Care: Emeralds are a relatively hard gemstone, but due to their inclusions they are brittle: avoid knocking or dropping them onto hard surfaces.To clean your emerald piece, use warm water with mild soap and a soft toothbrush or cloth. Do not use a steam cleaner or ultrasonic cleaner.
Healing Properties: Emeralds are believed to promote compassion, healing, and abundance.
Treatment: All emeralds are oiled unless otherwise stated. This treatment is a centuries old industry standard.
Birthstone: May
Anniversary: 20th
Rubies are a corundum variety, like sapphires; some ancient cultures believed rubies held the power of life, but Hannah Blount Jewelry loves rubies for their vivacious hues and their ability to combine femininity with power—like your favorite fairy-tale villain.
MOHS Hardness: 9
Origins: Various
Care: Avoid dropping your ruby jewelry onto hard surfaces. To clean your ruby piece, use warm water and a mild soap. It is safe to clean with ruby jewelry with an ultrasonic and steam cleaner.
Healing Properties: Courage, passion, strength, and protection.
Birthstone: July
Anniversary: 15th and 40th
Sapphires are a corundum variety, like rubies, that come in every color but red. While classic, cobalt sapphires are the most popular, the HBJ studio loves those with inclusions and atypical coloring. Sapphire inclusions are formed by minerals called needles; in ancient Greece and Rome, royalty believed that sapphires provided protection. A type of corundum that comes in every color except red. Red corundum is called ruby. “In ancient Greece and Rome, kings and queens were convinced that blue sapphires protected their owners from envy and harm.”-GIA
MOHs Hardness: 9
Origins: Worldwide
Care: Very durable. To clean, soak in warm, soapy water and remove any dirt with a toothbrush or the like.
Healing Properties: Awareness, Discipline
Birthstone: September
Treatment: None
Anniversary: 5th and 45th
