Meet Morganite and Aquaramine - natural bedfellows for lovers of colour.
The richness of a red ruby; the lushness of an emerald; the bewitching blue of a sapphire – coloured gemstones have mesmerised kings and queens for centuries. And Mother Nature created an entire palette of shades to enjoy. Today, gemstone connoisseurs look beyond the ‘big three’ to appreciate the beauty of nuanced hues such as peachy-pink morganite and cerulean aquamarine, both of which feature in the second instalment of Mappin & Webb’s Luxury Jewellery collection.
Aquamarine, meaning ‘water of the sea’, is associated with peace and tranquillity. Its soothing pale-blue colour and incredible clarity means it was once used as a talisman to keep sailors safe at sea. It is also associated with the throat chakra and used to aid clarity of thought.
Morganite was discovered on an island off Madagascar in 1910 and named after the banker JP Morgan. The chairman of the geological section of the New York Academy of Sciences declared it “a pure, clear colour - that of a true pink rose.” Like its sister stone aquamarine, it’s a type of beryl; although morganite is associated with the heart chakra, and believed to aid healing, compassion, and love.
Alone, both of these gemstones offer a playful pop of colour that flatters any complexion. But when set together, the unexpected combination of pink and blue is “a match made in heaven,” says Daniella Jayes, Buyer at Mappin & Webb. “The baby-blue shade of the Mozambican aquamarine compliments the baby-pink hue of the morganite perfectly. The gorgeous shades allow the wearer to celebrate their love of gemstones, without having to spend the same money they would on pink or blue diamonds.”
The candy colours appear together in several of the 160 stunning new creations of the Luxury Jewellery collection. A bracelet and necklace feature emerald-cut or Asscher-cut stones separated by white diamond spacers. Like any natural gemstone, aquamarines and morganites come in a variety of shades - so great effort went into sourcing stones that matched in hue and saturation.
Careful consideration is given to the placement of each stone: rather than alternating, they are set in a 2:1 pattern (two morganites to each aquamarine). Square-cut gems add a clean, modern edge to the design, with each aquamarine set in 18ct white gold and each morganite in 18ct pink gold, all the better to bring out their mouth-watering colours. “The step-cut facets of the Asscher cut shows off the amazing life in each gemstone,” says Jayes.
The result of exceptional, expert craftsmanship, the supple collier necklace features a double hinge mechanism, allowing the wearer to slip it on and off the neck with ease. Its asymmetric torque-style silhouette exudes glamour and sophistication, whether paired with an evening gown or beneath a tuxedo.
Mirroring the necklace’s open design is a contemporary toi et moi ring. Meaning ‘you and me’, toi et moi rings became popular after Emperor Napoleon presented his bride-to-be, Josephine, with a ring featuring a diamond and sapphire set together on a gold band. Mappin & Webb uses the bold contrast of aquamarine and morganite to update this classical and romantic design, which can be worn as an unusual engagement ring or as an eye-catching right-hand ring.
The Luxury Jewellery collection also includes bold cocktail rings which see a single 8.49ct cushion-cut aquamarine, or a 4.67ct princess-cut morganite, surrounded by a halo of brilliant-cut diamonds. Inspired by the rings worn by flappers in the 1920s to draw attention to the illicit liquor they were drinking - hence the term ‘cocktail rings’ - these unique pieces make a statement whether worn together or alone.
Explore our stunning selection of luxury jewellery here at Mappin & Webb online or visit us in store at one of our showrooms where our jewellery experts will be delighted to help you
Author Credit: The Telegraph’s former Jewellery & Watches Editor, Sarah Royce-Greensill has spent the last decade immersed in the fascinating world of fine jewellery. Sarah edits the ‘Showcase’ section of Vanity Fair On Jewellery, a prestigious anthology of everything new and noteworthy in jewellery, and is a contributor to Conde Nast Traveller, Tatler, Times Luxx, Country Life and Harrods Magazine among other titles.
