Stories

Jewel tones remain a popular inspiration in the color palettes of many houses. If you’ve already given your Valentine the gift of extraordinary sleep, consider using gemstones to offer them a piece reminiscent of your shared space. After all, the heart and home are closely tied. Necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings often come to mind when thinking of gifts for your partner – and with different jewels symbolizing various meanings, you have no shortage of options to choose from to delight your partner on the holiday of love. Navigating the world of gems may be daunting, but we have tips to help you find the perfect stone for the diamond in your life.

While the saying may be somewhat old-fashioned, our first gem is referenced in an iconic line: “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” They’re also the hardest naturally occurring substance on earth, making them an appealing choice for daily wear. Most people associate April’s birthstone with a clear sparkling rock, and while a perfect diamond is colorless, impurities in the gem’s structure can allow different hues to appear. This gives you alternatives to pick the shade best suited for your significant other’s taste. The strength of the diamond is associated with eternal love and commitment, and the price tag attached can make it a symbol of money and status. A classic in romance, it’s difficult to go wrong in selecting this stone.

With a hardness second to diamonds and a range of naturally occurring colors, corundum is another excellent option for a lasting piece of jewelry. If you think you’ve never heard of it, think again; rubies and sapphires belong to this mineral species. Rubies are available in various shades of red, but sapphires are the way to go if you’re looking to shop through a wider selection of hues. Love, passion, protection, and wealth are traits connected to rubies. Sapphires are also known for love, though their other symbolic attributes include wisdom, virtue, and devotion. Both of these gems are birthstones (ruby being the birthstone of July and sapphire belonging to September), meaning they may have more significance to people born in those months.

Emeralds round out the last of the precious stones, and like their counterparts, they’re durable enough for everyday use. While color options are limited, fans of green have plenty to wear. Possessing rich shades ranging from viridian to vibrant green, the birthstone of May has a selection of lush hues. Emeralds are symbols of loyalty, new beginnings, peace, and love and are a beautiful choice for your significant other.

Quartz comes in a wide array of colors and makes an affordable yet delightful choice that’s sturdy enough for daily wear. One of the most popular varieties of quartz is amethyst, the birthstone of February known for its violet hue, though rose quartz is also widely available in many jewelry stores. Amethysts are associated with deep love, happiness, sincerity, and inner vision and were used to denote royalty throughout history. Rose quartz, meanwhile, is most commonly used as a symbol of unconditional romance and self-love, but it also shares a connection with peace and beauty.

The rich red, transparent properties of garnet can make it a substitute for rubies, though the semiprecious stone is available in other colors as well. With the same hardness as quartz, it can be worn daily – and has been used in decorative pieces for millennia, with jewelry dating back to 3100 BCE as a testament to its durability (and timeless appeal). Garnets are symbols of protection, trust, loyalty, friendship, and love. The birthstone of January, this gem may be special to people born in the first month of the year.

Despite its delicate nature, opal’s iridescent quality offers an eye-catching choice in jewelry. Their soft and porous composition makes them ill-suited for day-to-day wear, but they create a stunning focal point for necklaces, rings, or earrings to wear on date nights. Opals are associated with faithfulness, hope, love, and passion, making them an excellent gift for Valentine’s Day. As the birthstone of October, they create an especially thoughtful choice for those born in that month.

Pearls are the softest item on our list. While not stones, they’re still popular gems and commonly found in jewelry. Very easily damaged, they should be reserved as special occasion pieces, though high-quality synthetic options are less susceptible to harm from chemicals and body oil. June’s gem is associated with wisdom, enduring elegance, and beauty, making it a classy option for your partner. While white and cream are the most well-known, the pearl palette incorporates many other colors, such as black, pink, gold, and blue (to name a few).

With the selection available, how do you know the direction you should take? The answer may be within reach, literally. If you need inspiration and don’t want to show your hand by asking your partner, look through their jewelry box to see what cuts and settings they’re drawn to. Take pictures of their collection if you’re having trouble identifying their style. With examples of your partner’s taste, a jeweler may be able to provide recommendations for similar pieces so you can surprise your significant other with something they love to wear every day, or at least when the occasion allows it.