Let’s start with the diamond, the gem par excellence, known as “A woman’s best friend”, as Marilyn Monroe sang in the film Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend. This precious stone, representing eternity and purity, has often been used as a symbol of eternal love. Legend has it that the diamond was born from gods’ tears, and today continues to enchant with its glow. His bond with love has medieval origins, in that time, in fact, it was thought that a diamond resting on the heart was enough to ensure eternal love. Tragically romantic is the story of the ring that Dodi Al-Fayed would have given to Lady Diana shortly before they died along the Alma tunnel in Paris. Inside it was engraved with the inscription Dis-moi oui (Tell me yes), a thought so special that it makes us forget the number of carats, although, in this case, it is rumored that they were not few.

According to Gourmode…

When to donate it: since the diamond in certain situations is expected, gift it in an unexpected and reserved situation, maybe at home, on the pillow, instead of the chocolate as in the luxury hotels of the past.

How to wear it: In abundant quantity, to adorn silk gloves, set in a double tennis maybe triple or maybe quadruple, with a blue velvet dress at the prima of the Teatro alla Scala.

Emeralds are often associated with rebirth and hope, with their vibrant green reminiscent of nature. These green gems embody power and elegance. One of the most valuable pieces in the Burton-Taylor collection was an 18-carat Colombian emerald surrounded by 12 diamonds that Liz Taylor wore as a brooch on the day of their first wedding. Later, Burton added a necklace of 16 emeralds, to which the brooch was matched as a detachable pendant.

In 2022 Chopard unveils Insofu, an exceptional 6,225 carat raw emerald. Who knows what they will accomplish with this magnificent rough piece? We are sure that the Maison will work and cut it artfully to make the intrinsic beauty shine. In the Zambian language, where it was found, Insofu means elephant. A tribute to its shape and to its remarkable size.

According to Gourmode…

When to donate it: for a special engagement, certainly Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend but emeralds are more original, don’t you think?

How to wear it: set in a feline-mouth ring while, with an animal print dress, comfortably in your lodge overlooking the savannah, you wait for a jeep that will take you on an adventurous safari. The first wild animal seen? An elephant, but not Insofu, unfortunately.

Rubies, on the other hand, evoke passion and burning love. These red stones have often been gifted as a symbol of fire and desire. Consider that the ruby is the hardest stone, after the diamond. And yet, even here there are contradictions: when cutting and setting one must pay much attention because of its fragility. For a long time, India has been considered the country of rubies, the most requested today is the “pigeon blood“, like the Estrela de Fura ruby, 55.22 carats, extracted in northern Mozambique. This is the largest ruby in the world, sold at the last Sotheby’s auction in New York for an absolutely incredible amount, 34.8 million dollars. A gem for Gou Gous who knows about it.

According to Gourmode…

When to donate it: during a picnic in Cortina d’Ampezzo, hidden in a basket of wild strawberries.

How to wear it: on a light chain in a drop-shaped light point combined with a sweetheart neckline to give light and enhance the décolleté. And do not forget a touch of rouge à lèvres as the icing on the cake.

Sapphire, with its deep blue, is often linked to wisdom and protection. In a relationship, this stone symbolizes sincerity, and serenity, while for travelers it is considered a talisman that protects from the spirits of evil and a lucky charm. It represents faithful love if gifted as an engagement ring. A magnificent piece featuring the sapphire is the Art Deco bracelet created by Cartier in 1927, the golden age for the prestigious Haute Jewellery house. The most beautiful sapphires of the House of Windsor jewelry are in the Belgian Sapphire Tiara, which now lives, with Camilla, a third youth. It is one of the few tiaras that Elizabeth II bought herself, not caring about the vibrations that the jewel could emanate: it indeed belonged to a Belgian princess who was forced to deprive herself of it.

According to Gourmode…

When to donate: buy it! Like Queen Elizabeth, after all.

How to wear it: around the neck stretched out on a chaise longue in déshabillé or, even less, while you are being painted by Jack on the Titanic. Of course, The Heart of the Ocean was a large 56 carat diamond, of great value, very rare, blue in color, and carved in the shape of a heart, but the color makes us think of the sapphire and we wear it like that, period.

Precious stones have the power to carry messages. Emerald was the stone chosen in the important jewels donated by Edward VIII of England to Wallis, representing hope and a symbol of protection for marriage. When the two were still in a clandestine relationship (because Wallis was married), Edward took her on a cruise to the French Riviera and bought from Cartier a charming bracelet of diamonds and emeralds. Some time later he gave her a bracelet of rubies and, ça va sans dire, of emeralds, by Van Cleef & Arpels with the phrase “Hold me tight”. When Wallis finally separated, a Cartier ring arrived with an impressive 19.77 carat emerald with engraved “WE are ours now 27X36” where WE are the initials of Wallis and Edward. The number 27X36 indicates the date of their wedding, October 27, 1936, in which Wallis flaunted that deep emerald, huge and refined, full of meanings.

Apparently, Oscar Wilde is right when he says that “we can do without everything but the superfluous “. We wonder why when it shines it doesn’t even seem so superfluous. Women, and not only, accept them, they buy them, they want them, they exhibit them. Small treasures in miniature and silent keepers of memories.