Blog — ThreeTrees
Natural stones in silver jewellery: topaz, amethyst, agate, moonstone
Each coloured stone on ThreeTrees silver jewellery has its own look and its own durability. Get to know the stones you will often see and how to keep them looking their best.
Alongside sparkling white stones, many ThreeTrees silver designs use coloured stones. Each type has its own colour, hardness and care needs. The hardness figures below use the Mohs scale (1 to 10, with diamond at 10).
Topaz
Topaz has a hardness of about 8 and is quite durable for everyday wear. Blue topaz in jewellery ranges from light to deep blue, clear and bright.
Amethyst and citrine
Both belong to the quartz family, with a hardness of about 7. Amethyst ranges from light to deep purple; citrine has a warm yellow tone. Avoid leaving them in strong sunlight for long, as the colour can gradually fade.
Agate
Agate belongs to the chalcedony family, with a hardness of about 6.5 to 7, and is often banded or a single solid colour, such as black agate or red agate. Its smooth polished surface suits minimalist designs.
Moonstone
Moonstone has a bluish-white sheen that moves as you tilt the stone. With a hardness of about 6 to 6.5, it is softer than the stones above, so avoid knocks.
Peridot, spinel, garnet
Green peridot (hardness about 6.5 to 7), spinel (about 8) and deep red garnet (about 7 to 7.5) also often appear in silver jewellery.
Caring for jewellery with stones
- Take your jewellery off for housework and exercise to avoid knocks and scratches.
- Do not soak in cleaning chemicals; wipe gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth, then dry.
- Store each piece separately so harder stones do not scratch softer ones.
- Check the prongs holding the stones regularly; ThreeTrees offers checks and maintenance in store.
Want to see it in person? Book an appointment at the ThreeTrees store.
