Les Pierres Précieuses : Comment Choisir Celle Qui Te Correspond Vraiment

Gemstones: How to Choose the One That Really Suits You

Yesterday, a customer came into AZOR and said to me:
“I want a blue stone but not too expensive, is that possible?”

I laughed, not to mock, but because it's the question many people have in mind without ever daring to ask. And I said to myself: OK, we have to talk frankly about stones. No marketing language, no incomprehensible terms. Cash.

Because the world of precious stones, if you've never delved into it, is a real labyrinth. Between the technical terms, the prices that go in all directions, and the sellers who each tell a different story, you end up lost. So let's lay the groundwork.

The four big ones

For centuries, four stars have been called "precious stones": diamond, ruby, emerald, and sapphire. Everything else is classified as "fine stones." This distinction, to be honest, no longer makes much sense today, but it remains in people's minds.

  • You know the diamond. It's the most famous stone. But today, with lab-grown diamonds, everything has changed. You can get a stone identical to a natural diamond for much less.

  • Ruby is the quintessential red. A beautiful, deep ruby ​​is magnificent, but real ones are priceless. Often, more affordable ones tend toward pink or brown.

  • Emerald is my favorite. This intense green is unique. But be careful, emeralds are fragile. If you want a ring to wear every day, think carefully.

  • Sapphire isn't just blue. It comes in pink, yellow, orange, and green. Anything but red, because a red sapphire is... a ruby.

The stones we love at AZOR

In our collections, we use many other stones that are worth a look.

  • Amethyst, purple, accessible, resistant. It ranges from light to deep purple.

  • Citrine, orange-yellow, luminous. Many come from heated amethysts, and this is normal.

  • Garnet. Not just red. It comes in green, orange, and pink. Our favorite remains rhodolite garnet, an elegant reddish-purple.

  • Topaz. The blue one we often see is almost always treated. Nothing serious, but it's worth knowing.

  • Aquamarine. Light blue, soft, soothing. Less expensive and less fragile than emerald.

The news that is rising

  • Morganite, powder pink. Increasingly popular for engagement rings.

  • Tanzanite, a unique blue-violet, found only in Tanzania. Fragile, but sublime.

  • Peridot, apple green. You either love it or you hate it, but those who love it, love it.

The truths that no one tells

  • Almost all stones are treated. Heated, oiled, irradiated. It's the norm.

  • Inclusions are not defects. They prove that the stone is natural.

  • The size is as important as the stone itself. One bad cut ruins everything.

  • The certificate is good, but it's not everything. What matters is your crush.

How to choose

  1. Start with color. What speaks to you? Blue, green, red?

  2. Consider the use. A daily ring requires a hard stone (Mohs 7+).

  3. Set your budget from the start. This avoids frustration.

  4. Look at the stone in real life. Online photos lie. The light, the depth, the sparkle, you can only see it in person.

Your style, your stone

  • Minimalist: aquamarine, rose quartz, morganite.

  • Statement: dark amethyst, citrine, garnet.

  • Classic: ruby, sapphire, emerald, tanzanite.

  • Original: peridot, tourmaline, spinel.

The interview

A stone lives. It needs to be maintained.

  • Cleans with warm water and mild soap.

  • Remove your jewelry when cleaning or swimming.

  • Store them separately. A diamond scratches everything.

  • Check the claws every year.

Lab stones

Lab-grown diamonds, let's talk about them.

Chemically, they are identical to natural products. Their advantage is the price, 60 to 70% cheaper. Their disadvantage is resale, which has no real value. At AZOR, we offer both. You choose what corresponds to your values.

Myths to forget

  • Birthstones bring good luck? Marketing invention.

  • The heavier it is, the more expensive it is? Not necessarily. Color and size matter more.

  • The magical powers of stones? Not proven. If you believe in them and they make you feel good, that's your choice.

  • "A diamond is forever"? False. It can break, get scratched, or get lost.

What matters

In the end, a stone is personal. It's about emotion. I've seen people moved by a 50 euro amethyst as much as by a 5,000 euro sapphire. The value is in how it makes you feel.

At AZOR, we want everyone to find their own stone. Not the one that fashion dictates, but the one that speaks to you.

Come see us

Want to see the difference between a garnet and a ruby? Can't decide between a natural diamond and a lab-grown one? Come to the store. We'll explain, show you, and offer you a mint tea. And we'll talk stones, in peace.

Because you don't choose a stone from a catalog. You choose it with your eyes, your hands, and your heart.

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