Amethyst is a semi precious silicate mineral meaning it comes from the most important and largest groups of minerals that make up the earths crust. As a violet variety of quartz this stone is incredibly beautiful. Traditionally the birth stone of Febuary this stunning mineral makes a lovely wintery gift or birthday present. At Roanate our amethysts are ethically sourced from Zambian mines typically from the Zimba district in the southern province. Despite sourcing our amethyst from Zambia, this stone actually got its name from the Alexandrian dialect of Greek meaning to “not intoxicate”. Ancient Greeks believed that while wearing the stone or by drinking from amethyst encrusted goblets this would prevent them from feeling the intoxifying effects of alcohol.

Aquamarine is a type of Beryl meaning that this Cyclosilicate comes from the same family of stones as emeralds. Aquamarine gets its name from the Latin for “sea water” and as such mimics the beautiful varieties of blue and cyan’s found in the ocean, although a green and yellow variety does occur in Brazil specifically called chrysolite aquamarine. At Roanate we source our aquamarine from the many Beryl mines scattered throughout the majestic landscape of South Africa. As the birthstone of March, aquamarine is a perfect gift for any piscean friends or loved ones.

The nesosilicate garnet comes in a variety of species including pyrope, almandine, grossular and andradite. From the middle English word meaning dark red its original Latin etymology granum means grain or seed. Despite its middle English description this diverse stone actually comes in many different colours even encompassing the colourless. This Aquarian mineral is the birthstone of January and is also used as the symbol of a couples second year of marriage. At Roanate we source our garnet from gorgeous Indian costlands sustainably mined from the white sand and stony beeches its situated in.