Human beings have adorned themselves with precious and semi-precious gems throughout history. Today, gems are incorporated into fine jewelry, not only to provide accents to a masterfully crafted piece but for the same reasons that people have been attracted to gems over the centuries. Gemstones were selected not only because of their beauty but because people believed that certain gemstones have the power to protect, bring good luck, heal, and more. Gemstones are also a profoundly symbolic representation of their wearer. Michelle Valadon believes in the power of gemstones to enhance the wearer's beauty and serve as special symbols representing the wearer's essence.
What Is in a Gemstone?
Jewelry design and trends have changed throughout history. However, gemstones never go out of fashion. Though their appearance and sizes may change due to trends, availability, and advances in cutting techniques, the same gems have been present in fine jewelry since their discovery.
Much like the women who wear them, part of a gemstone’s allure is its rarity and its exceptional natural beauty. The painstaking effort required to extract, cut, and polish these gems doesn’t just add to their price tag, it also makes them highly valued. Though there are affordable alternatives that approach the appearance of authentic gems, such as plastics, and artificially-produced gemstones, such as cubic zirconia, glass, and other materials, people still prefer natural gems. Combined with intricate works in silver or gold, Michelle Valadon enhances the beauty, symbolism, and power of each of these stones to provide seekers of the exceptional something that they can appreciate and speaks to their soul.
Michelle Valadon's Stone Choices
Each piece of jewelry is unique and exquisitely crafted, just like the wearer herself. Michelle Valadon Designs provides intricately and purposefully designed pieces that embody the most authentic self of the wearer. These captivating stones not only complement and enhance the wearer's inner beauty and sense of style, but they are also the perfect accents that enable them to embrace the eternal feminine.
Black Onyx
Since its discovery, black onyx has always been sought-after, not only for its beauty but also because of its profound symbolism. Cherished across different cultures, its deep black hue and captivating beauty have adorned people for centuries. Its long history as an accent stone for intricate jewelry is defined by its deep association with balance, confidence, harmony, and groundedness. It is a mighty warrior stone that is used for staying calm, stimulating the power of decision-making, and as a protection from negative energy. Thrust into the limelight during the glorious period of the Victorian era, black onyx, because of its color and charm, has since been a popular choice for vintage-inspired fine gothic jewelry because of its association with the moon, the night, and the emphasis on femininity.
Set in an antiqued silver patina around exquisitely crafted designs, the mesmerizing quality of black onyx is truly represented by the fine gothic rings, necklaces, and chandelier earrings in the Enlightenment collection.
Lava Rock
As a volcanic stone, lava rock, begins its journey straight from the earth. Hence these stones are associated with universality and spirituality, as well as their strong connection to mother nature. Taken straight from the bosom of the earth, there is no other stone that can symbolize rebirth as perfectly as lava rock does. Lava rock, like black onyx, is also an excellent stone for grounding and is known for its stabilizing effects, which extend to the spiritual and emotional spheres, thereby negating negative emotions.
The textured lava rock beads in Michelle Valadon's rosary-inspired necklaces provide mysterious opposition to intricate accents that lend an antique feel that strengthens the piece's connectedness to the past and provides the wearer a bold elegance.
Black Diamonds
The fascinating and mesmerizing color of black diamond attracts many people because of its elegant and exceptional appearance. Fine pieces are available and highly sought after because of their beauty and hypnotic properties. Naturally-occurring black diamonds are rare and brilliant cuts are challenging to execute because of their numerous inclusions.
The affinity of humanity to diamonds stretches from the time of their discovery. Because no substance on earth can match its toughness, rarity, and beauty, they are valued by many cultures worldwide. Though these characteristics are typically associated with the more widely-available white stones, dark, mysterious black diamonds are seen as a channel between the physical and spiritual realms. Black diamonds represent inner strength, justice, and truth while holding properties of domination and great power.
Set in exquisitely-crafted gothic rings, silver hoop earrings, stud earrings, and mandala necklaces, black diamonds possess a spellbinding quality that provides timeless sparkle and subtle elegance as well as the symbolic power of inner strength, truth, and justice that embodies the wearer.
Ruby
The word ruby is derived from the Latin word "ruber," which means red. Throughout history and across different cultures, rubies have been a favorite gem among the powerful and those in love. The stone’s deep red color inspires more emotion than almost any other stone. Considered the “King of Precious Stones” among Hindus, the ruby was also a mark of great authority among Mandarins in ancient China, whose high rank is denoted by the red color of their ruby rings.
In Western culture, ruby is associated with vitality, nobility, purity, and emotion in a life that is lived with sensuality and passion. Rubies allow the wearer to see their potential and strength as their color is deeply associated with their heart. By the 1880s, French jewelers considered the ruby a dearly loved stone or the gem of gems meant to take the wearer to extreme emotion and bliss.
Set in textured silver Maltese crosses in gothic rings and rosary-inspired necklaces, rubies lend a stunning quality that centers on the heart of the wearer. Long-regarded as symbols of virtue and heroism, Maltese crosses are potent reminders of the wearer's feeling of spiritual character and strength.
Garnet
Garnets are considered one of the oldest-known gemstones. Garnets adorned Egyptian royalty with many garnet talismans and necklaces recovered from tombs. Garnets were also highly valued by the ancient Greeks and Romans, who used them on garnet rings to mark seals of essential documents and as accent pieces for fine jewelry. Garnet's traditional red color was associated with blood and the heart. Thus, people believed in garnet's healing, protecting, and strengthening properties. Because of their healing and strengthening properties, garnets are also known as the “stone of commitment” that can help you improve your self-confidence and achieve your goals in life while allowing the heart to open to new possibilities.
Garnets punctuate the rich textured silver patterns, inspired by sacred geometry, of the Windows to the Soul bracelet cuff that celebrates nature's perfect design. The garnets encourage the wearer to realize the full potential that is already in their heart.
The Symbolism and Meaning of Jewelry Is Also What Makes It Exceptional
The uniqueness of a person is reflected by the jewelry they wear. Michelle Valadon believes in the deep symbolism and power of the stones to genuinely represent the wearer and help her discover her true essence. Combined with the exquisite craftsmanship and love that goes into each piece, the choice of stones adds a unique quality that carries the emotional meaning of each piece. Each masterfully crafted piece is made truly valuable by the carefully chosen stones taken from the earth to provide each woman with something as beautiful, unique, and exceptional as she is.