Before you choose a stone for what it means, it helps to know what it actually is. Here's a simple, no-jargon guide to the four materials at the heart of our collections — where they come from, how they look and feel, and how to keep them beautiful.
Looking for what each stone symbolizes? Read The Meaning Behind the Stone.
Jade
| What it is | A dense, tough mineral (the classic variety is called nephrite) |
| Colors | Creamy white, soft green, celadon, and deeper greens |
| Feel | Smooth, slightly waxy, cool when you first put it on |
| Hardness | About 6–6.5 on the Mohs scale — very tough and resistant to chipping |
Jade's secret is its structure: tiny interlocking fibers make it one of the toughest natural materials used in jewelry. That's why old jade pieces can survive centuries of daily wear. Hetian jade, one of the most prized varieties, is known for its warm, buttery luster rather than glassy shine.
Good to know: Jade is naturally varied — soft clouds, subtle color shifts, and tiny markings are part of its character. No two pieces look exactly alike.
Red Agate
| What it is | A form of chalcedony (a microcrystalline quartz) |
| Colors | Persimmon orange to deep, warm red |
| Feel | Smooth and polished, with a soft inner glow |
| Hardness | About 6.5–7 — hard and durable for everyday wear |
Agate forms slowly as silica fills cavities in rock, layer by layer. Its red tones come from iron within the stone. Southern red agate (known as nanhong) is especially loved for its rich, saturated, almost velvety red.
Good to know: Look closely and you may see soft banding or cloudy patches of color — these are natural growth patterns.
Amber
| What it is | Fossilized tree resin, often tens of millions of years old |
| Colors | Honey, golden yellow, cognac; opaque varieties are called beeswax amber |
| Feel | Remarkably light and warm — never cold like stone |
| Hardness | About 2–2.5 — soft, so treat it gently |
Technically, amber isn't a mineral at all — it's organic. It began as resin oozing from ancient trees and hardened over geological time. Beeswax amber is the opaque, creamy variety, named for its resemblance to honeycomb wax.
Good to know: Amber is so light that many people forget they're wearing it. Because it's soft, keep it away from harder stones and metal that could scratch it.
Pearl
| What it is | Layers of nacre formed inside a living mollusk |
| Colors | White, cream, blush, and soft pastels |
| Feel | Smooth with a gentle, glowing luster |
| Hardness | About 2.5–4.5 — delicate and sensitive to chemicals |
Pearls are the only gems made by a living creature. The mollusk coats an irritant with thin layers of nacre, building the pearl's signature glow over time. Freshwater pearls come in a lovely range of shapes — from nearly round to organic, one-of-a-kind forms.
Good to know: Slight irregularities in shape and surface are normal and part of each pearl's individuality.
Caring for All Four
| Stone | Durability | Extra care |
|---|---|---|
| Jade | Very tough | Avoid hard knocks |
| Red Agate | Hard | Avoid long, direct sun exposure |
| Amber | Soft | Keep from heat, perfume, and scratches |
| Pearl | Delicate | Keep from water, sweat, and cosmetics |
For all of them: put your jewelry on last (after lotion and perfume), take it off before swimming, showering, or working out, wipe with a soft dry cloth, and store pieces separately. More tips in our care guide.