Back in 1948, De Beers launched on of the most iconic and influential advertising campaigns ever created. The campaign in question is the “Diamonds are Forever” campaign which almost single-handedly was responsible for the diamond becoming the de facto gemstone of choice to symbolize eternal love in engagement rings. It was so successful that De Beers diamond sales in the US between 1939 and 1979 increased from $23 million to $2.1 billion! Today if asked what gemstone represents love, most people would probably think of diamond.

But did you know that for thousands of years before that, there were many gemstones that were said to promote and embody love. As a child and veritable sponge of information, I learned as much as I could find about gemstones including the lore surrounding them.

So given Valentine’s day is just around the corner, I thought I’d share some of the most popular gemstones associated with love. Not just romantic love, but love in all its forms, from love of others and compassion to love of self as well as spiritual and physical love and more.

Gemstones of Love

• Agate – was worn to avoid envious thoughts and spite so they did not adversely affect relationships
• Amber – is believed to enhance physical love and if worn near the heart to draw love to you.
• Amethyst – is considered a stone of pure, true, emotional love and was often exchanged between lovers to enhance their commitment to one another.
• Beryl – was believed to strengthen the relationship between lovers. It is a groups of gemstones that includes emerald, aquamarine and morganite.
• Emerald – carrying an emerald near your heart was believed to attract love
• Jade – in China a gift of jade from a woman to a man was a common engagement gift. As was the the groom giving jade to the bride on their wedding day. Jade was also exchanged between men as a token of friendship. And jade carved into the shape of a butterfly was thought to bring love into the wearers life.
• Lapis Lazuli – is believed to be a stone of spirituality and thus attracts spiritual love into the life of the wearer
• Malachite – it was believed that wearing malachite near your heart expands your ability to love and be loved
• Pearl – were said to spread loving vibrations and were worn by women in India to ensure a happy marriage.
• Ruby –  was believed to bring romance into your relationship and helps you to love yourself before loving others.
• Sapphire – Sapphire is regarded as the guardian of love. It is believed to promote fidelity and attunes feelings lovers have for one another. It was also believed to banish any feelings of envy or spite in any relationship, not just marital.
• Pink Tourmaline – is said to promote love and friendship and believed to be a stone of love, compassion, emotional healing and self love.
• Turquoise – is another stone said to promote marital harmony

Gemstone lore is another way to give meaning to jewellery. Whether celebrating an engagement, a birthday, an anniversary, a special event, or just a little self adornment, you can find a gemstone(s) that perfectly embody you! If you want to learn more about gemstones, sign up to my newslist and receive periodic news, information and exclusive offers. SIGN UP HERE