Simple Tourmaline and Tsavorite Ring

Silver is a precious metal that takes its name from the Latin word for shiny, argentum. After having been a resource of great value in Greece and Crete during Antiquity, silver was subsequently extracted largely in Spain, and later in central Europe. In the 19th century, thanks to numerous advances in production (including the technique of drilling by steam engines and the improvement of transport), many silver mines were discovered and exploited throughout the world. Today, silver is found in the form of veins and nuggets mainly in Mexico, Peru, Australia and China. In traditional jewellery-making, silver is often covered with a thin layer of rhodium which gives it a more homogeneous and stable colour over time. But today designers favour its natural colour and rarely "rhodium" their silver pieces. Instead, they set it with stones and allow it to oxidise for a modern and elegant look. Like gold, silver is malleable. It is therefore impossible to use it at 100% purity for the creation of jewellery. In France, silver is recognised as a precious metal from 800 thousandths of pure silver in the alloy. However, the silver most commonly used in jewellery is 925 thousandths, that is to say an alloy composed of 92.5% pure silver. Different hallmarks are used to classify silver according to its purity. The 925 thousandths silver is marked by a Minerva head. Alloys made up of 80% pure silver are represented by a head of Minerva followed by the number 2. Silver jewellery tends to oxidise on contact with oxygen in the air. This natural oxidation disappears quite easily with specific products for silverware. These must be applied with a soft cloth, then rinsed and dried. At WHITEbIRD, designer Sophie Buhai’s sculptural and often voluminous pieces inspired by the modernist tradition put silver in the spotlight. De Jaegher also use silver in their precious jewellery.

Tourmaline takes its name from the Sinhalese turmali, meaning “stone of mixed colours,” a fitting tribute to its remarkable diversity — more than thirty varieties ranging from subtle hues to striking colour combinations. Among them are elbaite, which can appear colourless, blue, green or pink, and the sought-after “watermelon” tourmaline with its pink centre and green rim. Found in Afghanistan, Mozambique, Brazil, Madagascar, Russia and the United States, tourmaline is one of the most versatile gemstones in the mineral kingdom. Across cultures, it is associated with protection and balance. In parts of Africa, among Native American communities and within Australian Aboriginal traditions, it is regarded as a talisman capable of absorbing negative energy. In contemporary jewellery, its vibrant palette appeals to every sensibility. Our designers love the way its colours recall a collection of precious confections — a joyful, expressive and endlessly varied stone.

Tsavorite takes its name from Tsavo National Park, on the border between Kenya and Tanzania, where it was discovered in 1967 by a British geologist. A rare variety of garnet, it is prized for its exceptional transparency and its vivid green colour, whose intensity greatly influences the stone’s value. Brilliant and often almost inclusion-free, tsavorite stands out for its clarity and light. Its main deposits are located in Kenya and Tanzania. Symbolising new beginnings, tsavorite is associated with hope, positive change and emotional balance. It is said to encourage flexibility and a renewed perspective on people and situations. In contemporary jewellery, its bright, saturated green brings depth and energy to any piece. Francesca Villa uses it to illuminate her antique Chinese-inspired creations, and it also appears in our in-house line, We by WHITEbIRD, where its natural radiance adds a refined, vibrant touch.

Tanzanite takes its name from Tanzania, where it was discovered in the 1960s after storms around Mount Kilimanjaro. Originally brownish, it develops its blue-violet colour when exposed to heat. A trichroic gemstone, it can display blue, violet and bronze tones depending on the crystal’s orientation. Some fancy tanzanites even show striking multicoloured flashes. Found only in a 20 km² area in northern Tanzania, it is one of the rarest gemstones in the world. The Queen of Kilimanjaro, a 242-carat tanzanite set by Tiffany, remains its most famous example. Associated with creativity and self-expression, tanzanite inspires designers such as Brooke Gregson and Pippa Small, who value its balance of depth and softness.