For thousands of years, people have believed gemstones hold special meanings: offering protection, bringing luck, or even influencing emotions. Whether you're drawn to a stone for its symbolism or simply love its colour and sparkle, this guide will help you explore the deeper meanings behind some of our favourite gemstones.
We’ve put together a rundown of different gemstones, their origins, and their possible meanings to help you choose gemstone jewellery for yourself or as a meaningful gift. You might also want to explore our birthstone jewellery collection, featuring gemstones linked to each month of the year.
Keep reading to learn about the symbolism of different gemstones and how to choose the perfect one for you.
Gemstones & Their Meanings
Humans have treasured gemstones for millennia, not just for their beauty but also for the symbolic meanings associated with them.
The first recorded use of gemstones in jewellery and spiritual practices dates back to around 5000 BC, with ancient Sumerians, Egyptians, and Chinese civilisations assigning mystical properties to different stones.
Even today, gemstones are valued not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for the personal significance they hold.
Whether you believe in their symbolic power or simply appreciate their natural beauty, choosing a gemstone can be a deeply personal decision. Knowing what symbolism is associated with different gems can make your choice more meaningful and sentimental.
Below, we explore some of the most loved gemstones we use in our Australian Jewellery range, their histories, and the meanings attributed to them.
Citrine
Citrine Symbolism: Warmth, energy, perseverance, strength
Ranging from the palest yellow to rich golden hues, citrine has long been associated with energy and strength. Often called the "sunshine stone," it is believed to promote positivity, motivation and perseverance.
Citrine is a type of crystalline quartz. While quartz is very commonly found around the planet, citrine is more rare, which has made it more highly sought after.
It is known to have been used by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, with the latter using citrine in talismans to ward off spirits.
As the November birthstone, citrine makes an excellent gift for those born in that month.
Opal
Opal Symbolism: Creativity, spontaneity, good fortune
Highly prized by ancient cultures, opals were believed to bring good fortune, enhance creativity, and inspire spontaneity. Some even considered them to be a symbol of hope and transformation.
Opals are one of the most unique and mesmerising gemstones, most often known for their play of colour: a phenomenon where light diffracts within the stone to reveal shifting flashes of rainbow hues.
There are also opals don't have this play of colour, but do instead have beautiful soft colouring including white, pink, or yellow.
Australia is home to some of the most famous opal mines in the world. Learn more about opals in our guide: All About Opal Jewellery and also discover more about opal formation from Geoscience Australia.
Opal is the October birthstone, making it a special choice for those with an October birthday.
Discover our full range of opal jewellery created in Australia.
Aquamarine
Aquamarine Symbolism: Tranquillity, protection, harmony, happiness
With its clear blue shades reminiscent of the ocean, aquamarine has been worn as a protective talisman by sailors and other travellers for centuries. It's also thought to bring harmony and emotional balance. Historically it has been seen as a symbol of youth.
Aquamarine comes in an array of light to medium blues - and sometimes even light greens. It's a type of beryl, of which emerald is another variety.
The Romans and Greeks are known to have first used aquamarine around 480-300 BC and the Romans referred to it as 'water of the sea'.
Being the March birthtone, aquamarine makes a perfect gift for those born in that month. You'll find aquamarine rings, pendants and earrings to be treasured.
Pearl
Pearl Symbolism: Purity, wisdom, emotional balance, peace
Pearls have long been associated with purity, wisdom, and femininity. Traditionally linked to the moon and water, pearls are believed to bring emotional balance and inner peace. They are also said to symbolise wisdom gained through experience.
Unlike other gemstones, pearls are formed within oysters and freshwater mussels, making them an organic gem rather than a mineral.
Their luminous surface and soft glow have made pearls a classic choice for jewellery for millennia. The oldest known pearl jewellery dates from around 520 BC: it was found in a Persian princess's grave.
Pearls are the June birthstone, making them a meaningful gift for those born in that month.
Explore our collection of pearl jewellery for unique designs in silver and gold.
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis Lazuli Symbolism: Wisdom, truth, self-expression
With its deep blue hue and flecks of gold pyrite, lapis lazuli has been treasured since ancient times. It was a favourite of Egyptian pharaohs and is thought to enhance wisdom and self-expression.
Lapis lazuli is a mix of several different minerals, the most prominent being lazurite which gives it its rich blue colour. Lapis lazuli stones vary in colour from a pale denim through to a rich very dark blue. The stones often contain flecks of vivid gold coloured pyrite.
Lapis lazuli is one of Australian jewellery designer Simone Walsh's personal favourite gemstones. And she isn't alone: humans have been making use of lapis lazuli for almost 7,000 years.
For more inspiration see our elegantly simple lapis lazuli solid gold stud earrings along with the lapis lazuli silver studs.
Ruby
Ruby Symbolism: Passion, love, courage, vitality
Rubies have been prized for millennia as one of the most vibrant and valuable gemstones. Their rich red or deep pink hues symbolise love, energy, and confidence.
Ruby is a variety of mineral corundum (aluminium oxide), of which sapphires are another example. It varies in colour from palest pink, bright magenta and through to dark blood red. Rubies are found in Myanmar, but they are also abundant in Thailand and India.
Historically have been considered one of the four precious gemstones, the others being diamond, sapphire and emerald (visit our jewellery glossary to learn why we think this classification is out-dated).
As the July birthstone, a ruby piece will make a meaningful gift for someone born that month.
For a truly luxurious touch, check out our Solid Gold Birthstone Pendant Necklace which can be made for you with a facetted ruby.
Sapphire
Sapphire Symbolism: loyalty, wisdom, protection, insight
Historically, sapphires have been associated with wisdom, loyalty, and nobility. In ancient times, they were believed to offer protection from harm and envy. Some traditions say that wearing a sapphire enhances mental clarity and insight.
Like rubies, sapphires are among the most sought-after and valuable gemstones in the world. Known particularly for their deep blue hue, sapphires can also be found in a variety of other colours, including pink, yellow, green, and even white.
The sapphire gemstone is a variety of corundum, the same mineral as rubies, with the difference being its differing colour caused by trace elements.
Due to their incredible durability (second only to diamonds) sapphires make an excellent choice for everyday jewellery. They are also the September birthstone, making them a meaningful gift for anyone born in that month.
If you're looking for a classic piece, check out our Sapphire & Solid Gold Stud Earrings.
Amazonite
Amazonite Symbolism: Success, prosperity, communication
Amazonite's unusual and striking blue-green hue makes it a captivating choice for jewellery. This gemstone is said to promote prosperity, success, and clear communication.
It has been used in jewellery and other objects for over 3000 years. It was highly prized by the ancient Egyptians and was used by the Babylonians and Sumerians to make seals.
In spite of its long-standing use, it wasn't described as a distinct mineral until the 18th century.
Amazonite is a type of potassium feldspar, which only has a limited occurrence around the world. It's found in Eastern Asia, Russia, Madagascar, Libya and other places. Much closerr to where we are located, amazonite is also found on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia.
Gemstones as Birthstones
Birthstones have long been used in jewellery to celebrate personal milestones. They have a rich history dating back centuries. Learn more about the history of birthstones, including their traditional uses worldwide.
Here's a quick guide to the Birthstone Jewellery we offer at Simone Walsh Jewellery:
- January: Garnet
- February: Amethyst
- March: Aquamarine
- April: White topaz, Moissanite*
- May: Emerald
- June: Pearl
- July: Ruby
- August: Peridot
- September: Sapphire
- October: Opal
- November: Citrine
- December: Turquoise, Tanzanite
*We do not sell diamonds for ethical reasons, so we offer two high-quality alternatives.
Explore More Gemstone Jewellery
Whether you're drawn to gemstones for their symbolism or simply love their natural beauty, there's something special about choosing a stone that resonates with you. Explore our full range of Gemstone Jewellery and find the perfect piece to treasure.
Also see our Meaningful Jewellery collection for gift ideas full of symbolism for people you care about.
Related Reading
- Responsible Jewellery Council - organisation promoting responsible mining and sourcing of gems and metals
- Gemstone Mineral Information - a respected mineral database providing scientific details about gemstones
- Gemstone History & Lore - The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) provides detailed gemstone history and properties.
