Amee Philips, our founder and lead designer, takes her energy and inspiration from gems. She is a gemstone purist and chooses only the best quality natural valuable gemstones for use in her jewellery designs set in 18K (750) White, Yellow and Rose gold.
These magical minerals are the heart of all Amee’s designs and at the core of our business. Before her name became synonymous with masterful creations and craftsmanship, Amee was known for her gemstone expertise.
Here is a concise guide to the properties of some of these gems.
Color: Changing
Symbolism: Love, Luck
Anecdote: Named after Alexander II of Russia. The finest Alexandrite is a bright green but when put in any reddish light, the stone became bright red.
Source: Brazil, Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, Tanzania.
Color: Blue – green
Birthstone: March
Symbolism: faithfulness, courage, friendship, awareness, easing communication
Anecdote: The Romans used the Aquamarine for diseases of the stomach and believed it could cure liver and throat troubles.
Source: Columbia, Brazil, Zambia, Madagascar, Malawi, Tanzania and Kenya.
Color: Pink, violet, green, clear, yellow
Symbolism: Love, Power, Good Luck, Healing
Anecdote: Discovered at the Pala Chief Mine near San Diego, California, US. Named after gemologist GF Kunz.
Source: US, Brazil, Madagascar, Myanmar and Afghanistan
Color: Blue
Birthstone: October
Symbolism: Hope, innocence and purity and the quality of happiness, loyalty and confidence.
Anecdote: it is said to be the stone of love but only to faithful lovers. The opal will bring misfortune to an unfaithful lover
Source: Australia, Ethiopia, the United States, Brazil, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Turkey, Indonesia.
Color: Silver, Black, Red or yellow
Symbolism: Power, Healing
Anecdote: Sphalerite is used by healers to benefit athletes with physical energy, recover from exercise, assist the immune system, and prevent infections.
Source: Mexico, Germany, Switzerland, Romania, Bulgaria, Spain, Russia, Canada, the United States
Color: Pale white
Symbolism: Love, Power, Healing, Protection and Money
Anecdote: Topaz is one of the twelve breastplate stones of the High Priest (Exodus). The breastplate stones are considered sacred to twelve mighty angels who guard the gates to Paradise.
Sources: Brazil, the United States, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Russia, Australia, Tasmania, Pakistan, Mexico, Japan.
Color: Blue-green
Symbolism: Luck, Love, Protection and Healing
Anecdote: as turquoise is the symbol of friendship, if given a turquoise by a loving friend, that stone would protect the wearer from negative energy and bring good fortune.
Source: Mexico, the United State, Iran, Afghanistan, Australia, India, Chile, Turkestan.