Uncovering Natural Beauty: A Guide to My Favorite Gemstones

At Dauvi, we carefully select each gemstone for its quality, brilliance, and ethical sourcing. Discover the beauty and unique characteristics of the precious stones we use in our jewelry, and learn more about what makes them so special.

Natural gemstones are the perfect link between you and the Earth, formed over billions of years through the combination of pressure, temperature, and the chemistry of minerals. They come in every color of the rainbow and can be cut into many different shapes. Choose the stone that speaks to you and makes you feel beautiful when you wear it.

Mohs Hardness

Every natural stone is graded on MOHS Hardness Scale to determine how scratch resistant it is. We consider stones that are 7 and above pretty tough, while stones under a 6 need a little more care and consideration when being worn. Diamonds are at the top of the scale at a perfect 10, which is why they have always been the number one choice for engagement rings. Sapphires are almost as hard as diamonds at a 9-9.5, making them the perfect alternative stone for those who aren't drawn to the traditional white diamond engagement ring.

Gemstone Care Tips

A general rule of thumb is to clean gemstones with warm water, dish soap, and a soft bristle toothbrush. It can be difficult to keep up with the care instructions for each individual stone, and this tried and true method is safe for them all. Most gemstones should not be submerged in an ultrasonic cleaner or cleaned with household chemicals. This goes for all jewelry because some household cleaners erode the metal, too.

Gemstones with pointed edges (e.g., emerald cut, baguette, princess, radiant, marquise, kite, hexagon, shield) are more susceptible to breaking at the points. Because of this, I always prefer to put a v-tip prong on the pointed edges instead of a standard rounded prong. This ensures a little extra stability and protection when you hit it on a hard surface.

Below I've listed some of my personal favorite gemstones. Stay tuned for updates to this list!

Aquamarine

Description: A natural gemstone with a sky blue color; representing calmness, hope, and mental clarity.

Hardness: 8 on Mohs

Care Tips: Although stable with light exposure, avoid high heat.

Emerald

Description: A deep green gemstone representing truth, loyalty, and liveliness.

It's mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of rebirth into new life.

Hardness: 7.5 on Mohs

Care Tips: Do not soak emeralds in water.

Labradorite

Description: An iridescent  stone that shows cool tones of blue, purple, and grey. It represents self discovery, balance, and grounding. Ancient Inuit tribes believed Labradorite fell from the frozen fire of the Aurora Borealis and harnessed the stone's mystical powers in their daily lives.

Hardness: 6-6.5 on Mohs

Care Tips: Do not submerge in water - long exposure to water can dull the unique coloration.

Lapis Lazuli

Description: A deep blue gemstone with gold flecks of pyrite; symbolizing strength, wisdom, and courage. It's known for self-awareness and connecting with your inner being. "Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky." - Exodus 24:10 (NIV). Some historians believe this to be the stone that Jesus wrote the 10 commandments on.

Hardness: 5-6 on Mohs

Care Tips: Avoid high heat. Do not wear swimming or in the shower due to its porous nature.

Onyx

Description: A deep black gemstone symbolizing strength and the ability to overcome challenges. It's known to absorb negative energy and represents being the "master of your own destiny."

It's also the first stone mentioned in the Bible in the Garden of Eden. - Genesis 2:12

Hardness: 6.5 - 7 on Mohs

Care Tips: Avoid heat. Never wear when swimming or bathing.

Opal

Description: An iridescent gemstone that comes in many color variations symbolizing justice, harmony, and spiritual truth.

Hardness: 5.5-6.5 on Mohs

Care Tips: Never put in ultrasonic cleaners due to their porous nature. They are sensitive to extreme temperatures.

Sapphire

Description: A natural gemstone that comes in every color of the rainbow; representing wisdom, inner peace and guidance. This stone is a great option for engagment rings!

Hardness: 9 on Mohs

Care Tips: Resistant to light, heat, and common abrasive chemicals. Can be submerged in an ultrasonic.

Tourmaline

Description: A natural gemstone that comes in many colors, with green and pink being the most popular. It represents creativity, confidence, and happiness. Properties can vary depending on the color; pink embodies love and compassion while green represents strength to overcome.

Hardness: 7-7.5 on Mohs

Care Tips: Avoid exposure to high heat.

Tourmalinated Quartz

Description: A unique gemstone combining quartz and black tourmaline, giving it a distinctive look with black speckles and streaks. Represents protection from negative emotions and thoughts and the transformation into positive ones.

Hardness: 7 on Mohs

Care Tips: Avoid high heat.