What a gemstone choice says about you

Do you wear a pink diamond ring? Are emeralds more your thing? Do you have a soft spot for rubies, or can’t walk past a display of sapphires?

Here are some ancient meanings behind common gemstones, and what your choice of gemstone says about you.

The hardest stone, diamonds are a symbol of an unbreakable bond. They are also a symbol for purity, with ancient cultures using them to detoxify the sick.

Emerald is said to represent fertility, love and rebirth. Cleopatra was perhaps the first historical figure to make emeralds famous, wearing them in the hope of bearing a child.

If you’re a fan of rubies then you’re said to be loving, passionate, courageous and emotive. One of the rarest gemstones in the world, it has been used for centuries by kings and rulers as the ultimate status symbol.

The ancient Persians called pearls the tears of the gods. The ancient Chinese believed that pearls were the fruits of the moon, and that they were instilled with celestial power.

While sapphire rings actually come in a range of colours, when most people close their eyes and think of the gemstone, they’ll envisage a deep blue rock. Sapphire, in fact, is Greek for blue. Another symbol of power, sapphires also represent honesty, purity, loyalty and trust.

The purple hue of amethyst has been a popular jewellery option for millennia. Amethyst was actually worn by ancient Greeks and Romans to temper the intoxicating effect of white wine (with presumably questionable results).

Opals are like fingerprints; no two are alike. For that reason opals are often associated with individuality. They’re also linked to love, passion and spontaneity.