SAPPHIRE
Symbolism: Nobility, truth, sincerity, faithfulness and wisdom
Birthstone month: September
Legend: Ancient Greeks and Romans believed that the precious blue stones had the power to protect them from envy and harm.
Dazzling detail: A rare variety, the star sapphire displays starlike rays on its surface when cut as a cabochon and viewed under light.
Icon: Princess Diana’s Garrard engagement ring, now worn by Kate Middleton, features a 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire in a diamond halo setting.
Clockwise from top left: London Collection ring in 18k white gold with diamonds, sapphire and lapis, $6,540; Etincelle de Cartier wedding band in platinum with diamonds and sapphires, $9,500; Bulgari Divas’ Dream Mosaica High Jewelry watch in 18k white gold with diamonds and sapphires, price upon request; Roberto Coin Obelisco bangle in 18k white gold with diamonds and sapphires, $23,500
All available at London Jewelers, 2046 Northern Blvd., Manhasset, LI; Cartier at Cartier, 2100 Northern Blvd., Manhasset, LI
EMERALD
Symbolism: Renewal, balance, love and loyalty
Birthstone month: May
Legend: Cleopatra decorated her palace with emeralds, gave them as gifts to visiting dignitaries and wore them to showcase her wealth and power.
Dazzling detail: A cat’s eye emerald, usually found in Brazil and Colombia, displays “chatoyancy,” a band of light that dances across the dome-cut stone.
Icon: The 18.04-carat Rockefeller Emerald, a flawless Colombian gem famed for its exceptional color and clarity and purchased by John D. Rockefeller Jr. for his wife Abby in 1930, sold at auction in 2017 for more than $5.5 million.
Clockwise from top left: London Collection necklace in 14k white gold with emerald and diamonds, $3,070; Cartier Destinée earrings in 18k white gold with diamonds and emeralds, price upon request; Bulgari Serpenti Misteriosi High Jewelry secret watch in 18k white gold with diamonds and emeralds, price upon request; London Collection ring in 18k white gold with diamonds and emeralds, $12,900
All available at London Jewelers, 2046 Northern Blvd., Manhasset, LI; Cartier at Cartier, 2100 Northern Blvd., Manhasset, LI
RUBY
Symbolism: Love, passion, courage, good fortune and protection
Birthstone month: July
Legend: Thirteenth-century Chinese emperor Kublai Khan valued “the stone of kings” so highly that he offered to trade an entire city for a particularly impressive ruby.
Dazzling detail: Pigeon’s blood rubies have traditionally been mined in Myanmar (formerly Burma) and are celebrated for their deep, glowing red hues with subtle hints of blue.
Icon: Richard Burton once told Elizabeth Taylor, “One day, I’m going to find you the most perfect ruby in the world.” For Christmas in 1968, he gave her a diamond halo ring from Van Cleef & Arpels holding an 8.24-carat oval pigeon’s blood ruby of extraordinary quality.
Clockwise from top left: Buccellati Macri Positano Eternelle ring in 18k white and yellow gold with rubies, $4,700; Chanel Coco bracelet in 18k beige gold with ruby, $2,700; Van Cleef & Arpels Perlée secret pendant watch in 18k rose gold with diamonds, mother-of-pearl and rubies, $70,000; London Collection earrings in 18k rose gold with diamonds and rubies, $2,975
All available at London Jewelers, 2046 Northern Blvd., Manhasset, LI; Cartier at Cartier, 2100 Northern Blvd., Manhasset, LI
AMETHYST
Symbolism: Royalty, spirituality, clarity and commitment
Birthstone month: February
Legend: Ancient Greeks and Romans believed that amethysts ward off intoxication, so they wore amulets and drank from wine goblets made out of the gemstone.
Dazzling detail: The Siberian amethyst, a regal shade of purple with flashes of red and blue, originally came from Russia’s Ural Mountain mines. Now, the term is used as a trade and grade descriptor of that prized hue.
Icon: The massive gold, silver, amethyst and diamond Attallah Cross pendant was purchased by Kim Kardashian at auction in 2023 for $197,453. She paraded the necklace, previously worn several times by Princess Diana, at the 2024 LACMA Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles.
Clockwise from top left: Buccellati Macri Color earrings in 18k white and yellow gold with diamonds, amethysts and rubies, $39,500; Roberto Coin Venetian Princess Carnival necklace in 18k rose gold with diamonds and amethyst, $3,970; Pasquale Bruni Bon Ton ring in 18k rose gold with diamonds and amethyst, $6,000; Verdura Whisk ring in 18k yellow gold with amethyst, $16,000
All available at London Jewelers, 2046 Northern Blvd., Manhasset, LI; Cartier at Cartier, 2100 Northern Blvd., Manhasset, LI