A Guide to Our Gemstones

Every gemstone has its own character.

From the soft blush of Rose Quartz to the deep red of Garnet and the flashes of colour hidden within Labradorite, natural gemstones bring individuality to every piece of Aether & Nox jewellery.

We choose stones for their colours, textures and the stories traditionally associated with them. Because gemstones are formed naturally, no two beads are completely identical. Variations in colour, pattern, translucency and markings are all part of what makes each piece unique.

Throughout history, different cultures have also associated gemstones with particular qualities and meanings. We love using these traditional associations as another way to make jewellery feel personal, whether you're choosing something for yourself or looking for a meaningful gift.

Here’s a little more about the gemstones you’ll find throughout our collections.

Rose Quartz

Traditionally associated with: Love, compassion and emotional healing
Birthstone connection: Often associated with January as an alternative birthstone
Perfect for: Partners, friends, new beginnings and reminders of self-love

Rose Quartz is instantly recognisable for its soft blush pink colouring, which can range from almost translucent to a more milky pastel pink.

A variety of quartz, Rose Quartz is found in locations including Brazil, Madagascar, India and South Africa.

For centuries it has been closely associated with love in all its forms, not just romance, but friendship, compassion and kindness towards yourself too.

Its gentle colouring makes it an easy stone to wear every day and a lovely choice when you're looking for a piece of jewellery with a softer sentiment behind it.

Amethyst

Traditionally associated with: Calm, clarity and balance
Birthstone: February
Perfect for: February birthdays, busy minds and thoughtful gifts

Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz, ranging from delicate lilac through to deep violet.

Some of the best-known sources include Brazil, Uruguay and Zambia.

Historically, Amethyst has been associated with a clear and balanced mind. Its name comes from the Ancient Greek amethystos, meaning “not intoxicated”, reflecting an old belief that the stone encouraged clarity and level-headedness.

As February's traditional birthstone, it also makes an especially meaningful birthday gift.

Aquamarine

Traditionally associated with: Serenity, flow and confidence
Birthstone: March
Perfect for: March birthdays, travellers and lovers of ocean-inspired colours

Aquamarine belongs to the beryl family of minerals and is loved for its beautiful pale blue to blue-green tones.

Its name comes from the Latin words for “water” and “sea”, and throughout history it has unsurprisingly developed strong associations with the ocean. Sailors once carried Aquamarine as a protective talisman during voyages.

Today, it is traditionally linked with serenity, clear communication and confidence.

Aquamarine is March's birthstone, making it a particularly lovely choice for spring birthdays.

Labradorite

Traditionally associated with: Intuition, protection and transformation
Perfect for: New chapters, big changes and anyone who loves unusual stones

At first glance Labradorite can appear grey, green or smoky, but move it through the light and you may see brilliant flashes of blue, turquoise, green or gold.

This optical effect is known as labradorescence and makes every piece completely individual.

The stone takes its name from Labrador in Canada, where significant deposits were identified in the eighteenth century, although Labradorite is now also found in places including Madagascar and Finland.

Traditionally associated with intuition, protection and transformation, it feels particularly fitting for jewellery marking a new chapter or change.

Green Aventurine

Traditionally associated with: Growth, opportunity and luck
Perfect for: New jobs, new ventures and fresh beginnings

Green Aventurine is a variety of quartz usually recognised by its fresh green colouring and subtle natural sparkle.

Major deposits are found in countries including India, Brazil and Russia.

Traditionally considered a stone of opportunity, it has long been associated with luck, growth and optimism.

That makes Green Aventurine a lovely gifting stone for somebody starting a new job, business, adventure or simply entering a new phase of life.

Sunstone

Traditionally associated with: Vitality, joy and warmth
Perfect for: Celebrations, confidence boosts and lovers of warm tones

Sunstone gets its name from its warm peach, orange and golden colouring, often accompanied by tiny reflective inclusions that shimmer as the stone catches the light.

It is a type of feldspar and can be found in locations including India, Norway and the United States.

As its name might suggest, Sunstone has traditionally been connected with warmth, positivity and vitality.

Its bright, uplifting colouring makes it a beautiful choice for celebrations and gifts intended to bring a little sunshine.

Moonstone

Traditionally associated with: Intuition, new beginnings and inner balance
Birthstone: June
Perfect for: New chapters, June birthdays and meaningful everyday jewellery

Moonstone is another member of the feldspar family and is characterised by its soft, luminous appearance.

Many Moonstones display a floating glow across their surface known as adularescence, which can appear white, silver, blue or even rainbow-like depending on the stone.

Important sources include India and Sri Lanka.

Moonstone has been surrounded by stories and symbolism for centuries and is traditionally associated with intuition, cycles and new beginnings. It is also one of June's traditional birthstones.

You'll find Moonstone throughout our Luna Collection, where it is paired with another gemstone, as well as appearing across several of our capsule collections.

Moss Agate

Traditionally associated with: Renewal, balance and connection with nature
Perfect for: Nature lovers, fresh starts and earthy jewellery lovers

Moss Agate is loved for the green, branching inclusions running through its translucent or milky base.

Despite its name, the stone doesn't actually contain moss. Its distinctive organic patterns are created by mineral inclusions that simply resemble tiny landscapes, foliage and forests.

Moss Agate is found in several parts of the world, including India, Brazil and parts of the United States.

Unsurprisingly, its appearance has led it to become traditionally associated with nature, growth, renewal and balance.

And because each piece can look dramatically different from the next, it is one of our favourite stones for truly individual jewellery.

Carnelian

Traditionally associated with: Courage, motivation and creativity
Perfect for: Confidence, new projects and bold personalities

Carnelian is a warm variety of chalcedony, ranging from burnt orange and amber through to deep red.

It has been used in jewellery and decorative objects for thousands of years, including by the Ancient Egyptians and Romans.

Today, Carnelian is traditionally associated with courage, creativity, energy and motivation.

Its fiery colouring makes it an especially striking stone and the perfect choice for somebody who gravitates towards warmer, bolder jewellery.

Garnet

Traditionally associated with: Strength, devotion and passion
Birthstone: January
Perfect for: January birthdays, anniversaries and meaningful gifts

Although Garnet actually occurs in several colours, it is best known for its rich wine-red appearance.

Garnets have been used in jewellery for thousands of years, with examples found across Ancient Egyptian, Roman and medieval jewellery.

The stone is traditionally associated with strength, passion, commitment and protection.

Garnet is also January's birthstone, making it a natural gifting choice for birthdays at the beginning of the year.

Dalmatian Jasper

Traditionally associated with: Joy, playfulness and confidence
Perfect for: Something a little different and anyone drawn to graphic, neutral gemstones

Dalmatian Jasper is instantly recognisable thanks to its creamy beige base scattered with dark spots, giving it the appearance that inspired its name.

Despite commonly being called a jasper, it is technically an igneous rock containing a mixture of different minerals and is primarily found in Mexico.

Its playful appearance is matched by its traditional associations with joy, positivity and reconnecting with your more spontaneous side.

We pair Dalmatian Jasper with Carnelian, Garnet and Moonstone in our Strength & Spark Collection.

Blue Spot Jasper

Traditionally associated with: Calm, stability and reflection
Perfect for: Ocean lovers and anyone drawn to deep blue tones

Blue Spot Jasper is characterised by a mixture of blue, grey, cream and darker markings, with every stone carrying its own individual pattern.

Jasper has been used decoratively for thousands of years and appears in cultures throughout the world.

Traditionally, jasper stones are associated with steadiness and balance, while the blue colouring of Blue Spot Jasper lends itself beautifully to ideas of calm and reflection.

You'll find it alongside Aquamarine, Labradorite and Moonstone in our Clarity & Flow Collection.

Coffee Brown Agate

Traditionally associated with: Balance, stability and comfort
Perfect for: Earthy palettes, nature lovers and understated jewellery

Coffee Brown Agate features layers and variations of warm brown, caramel, cream and earthy tones.

Agate is a form of chalcedony that develops its distinctive colours and banding slowly within cavities in volcanic rock.

Different varieties are found across the world, including in Brazil, India, Uruguay and the United States.

Agate has traditionally been associated with balance and stability, while the naturally earthy colouring of Coffee Brown Agate makes it feel particularly warm and grounding.

You'll find it within our Growth & Grounding Collection, alongside Green Aventurine, Moss Agate and Moonstone.

Choosing a Gemstone

There really isn't a right or wrong way to choose one.

You might be drawn to a gemstone because of its traditional meaning, choose the birthstone belonging to somebody you love, select a colour that reminds you of a particular place or memory, or simply pick the stone you think looks beautiful.

Often, the best gemstone is just the one you keep coming back to.

Our collections are designed to make those choices easy. You can explore individual gemstones throughout our Core Collection, discover stones paired with luminous Moonstone in our Luna Collection, or explore combinations of four complementary gemstones through our seasonal and themed Capsule Collections.

Whichever you choose, the natural variations within every stone mean your jewellery will always be a little different from anybody else's.

A Note on Gemstone Meanings

Gemstone meanings come from folklore, cultural traditions and historical symbolism that have developed over hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of years.

We share them because we love the stories behind the stones and the extra meaning they can give to a piece of jewellery. They aren't intended to suggest that gemstones can provide medical, therapeutic or scientifically proven benefits.

Sometimes, a beautiful stone with a story that means something to you is special enough.