Fine and precious stones

Find out more about the gems and stones that adorn your favorite Poinçon 22 jewels. Did you know that diamond is the strongest stone on Earth? That sapphire can be blue, but also red, orange, pink or yellow? Or that mother-of-pearl is a living organic material that needs to be cared for to prevent tarnishing? Here we reveal all the secrets of precious and semi-precious stones, their symbolism, their history and their particularities.

precious stones

Precious stones have been around since the dawn of time, but are still a mystery.

Diamonds, for example, have always fascinated and inspired. Composed of 100% carbon, it is shaped in the depths of the earth to obtain this rare crystalline form. What makes diamonds so unique and hypnotic is their capacity for refraction, unheard of among natural stones. Like its reflections, diamond's solidity has amazed us throughout the ages. Its strength is such that it is considered a protector of all who wear it. It also represents eternal love.

A symbol of truth, peace and wisdom, the sapphire is equally fascinating. Celebrated by Romans, Egyptians and Hindus, sapphire has been worn through the ages by the world's greatest royal families. The second hardest stone after diamond, sapphire is also seen as a stone of hope. It comes in a variety of colors, blue sapphire being the best-known, but it also exists in pink, orange and yellow hues.

Red sapphire, created by adding chromium and iron to its composition, is called ruby. Known since around 500 BC, it has always been considered precious. Called the "queen of gems" by the Indians, who considered it to contain blazing fire, a reference found throughout the Mediterranean basin. Ruby exists in a thousand and one nuances shades of red, from the lightest to the deepest and darkest, which is what makes this stone so rich.

For the Poinçon 22 creations, the gems are carefully selected and are sometimes a real "coup de coeur". Their history, color and shape seduce and inspire us. Scattered about, they bring our creations to life with their brilliance and color. As they can be the jewel's centerpiece, its beauty lies in the stone alone.

fine stones

There are hundreds of gemstones. They represent all the stones used in jewelry besides precious stones. Some of them were considered precious stones until the discovery of large deposits, as in the case of opal, or of cultivation methods for pearls. Their name does not mean that they are less beautiful than precious stones; to avoid confusion, they have lost their names of semi-precious stones.

With the Nuances collection, Poinçon 22 has brought to light a range of fine stones: malachite, opal, onyx, mother-of-pearl, lapis lazuli, turquoise and carnelian. They adorn the collection's 18K gold rings, medals and bracelets, adding a touch of color to your outfits. All have their own strong virtues, meanings and symbolism.