The Jewels of Mythology and Folklore: Uncover the Magical Stories Behind Your Favorite Gemstones

Ever wondered why your emerald ring feels so regal or why your pearl necklace seems to whisper secrets of the deep? It’s because these stones come with baggage—the fabulous, mythical kind that would make even Zeus jealous. Long before gemstones became the sparkling stars of our necklace collections and engagement rings, they were the original special effects in humanity’s greatest stories. From dragons guarding rubies to moonstones containing actual moonlight (take that, LED lights!), our ancestors had some seriously creative explanations for why gems are so darn captivating.

At Robinson’s Jewelers, we love that our diamond jewelry connects you to ancient tales where gems weren’t just accessories—they were plot devices! So let’s dive into the magical stories behind the stones that make our entire jewelry collection feel like something out of a legendary quest.

Diamonds: The Original Hardcore Heroes

Today we know diamonds as the ultimate symbol of eternal love (thanks largely to a very successful marketing campaign), but ancient civilizations had much more dramatic backstories for these sparkly wonders. The Romans believed diamonds were tears of the gods, while Greek mythology claimed they were splinters from fallen stars. Talk about celestial credentials!

My personal favorite? Medieval warriors wore diamonds into battle, convinced they made them invincible. While we can’t guarantee our diamond stud earrings will help you survive a dragon attack, they definitely make you invincible at cocktail parties. Explore our stunning collection from designers like Charles Krypell and Oscar Heyman to find diamonds worthy of any modern-day hero.

Emeralds: Cleopatra’s Favorite bling

If ancient Egypt had Instagram, Cleopatra would have been the ultimate influencer, and her signature gem? Emeralds, of course! She didn’t just wear them—she allegedly gave them as diplomatic gifts and even had her own emerald mines. The Egyptians believed emeralds represented fertility and rebirth, which explains why they buried their dead with emerald scarabs.

Meanwhile, in South America, the Incas worshipped emeralds as holy stones, and Hindu mythology claimed emeralds could reveal truths about the future. Our emerald jewelry collection might not help you predict next week’s lottery numbers, but it will definitely make people think you have mystical powers. For truly royal emerald pieces, check out designs from Roberto Coin and Bvlgari.

Rubies: The Dragon’s Choice

If you’ve ever felt your ruby pendant has a certain fiery energy, you’re not imagining things—you’re channeling centuries of dragon-adjacent mythology! Ancient Burmese warriors inserted rubies into their flesh believing it made them invulnerable in battle (ouch!), while medieval Europeans thought rubies could predict danger by darkening.

The most fabulous ruby legend comes from Asia, where people believed these red gems grew on trees like fruit and that dragons were their natural guardians. Next time you browse our ruby jewelry selection, remember you’re basically shopping for dragon treasure. Our Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier collections feature rubies fit for any modern dragon hoard.

Sapphires: The Ultimate Truth Serum

Before sapphires became the “something blue” in weddings, they were the original lie detectors. Ancient Persians believed the sky was blue because of a giant sapphire’s reflection, while medieval clergy wore sapphires to attract heavenly favor. My favorite myth? That sapphires could reveal infidelity—if your partner’s sapphire changed color, let’s just say you might have needed couples counseling.

Today, our sapphire jewelry is more about timeless elegance than truth verification, though we can’t promise your sapphire bracelet won’t judge your life choices. For sapphires with royal pedigree, explore pieces from Tiffany & Co. and Chaumet.

Pearls: Mermaid Tears and Moon Drops

Pearls have the most emotionally dramatic origin story in the gem world. Ancient Chinese mythology claimed pearls fell from the sky when dragons fought, while the Greeks believed they were the tears of joy Aphrodite shed when born from sea foam. My personal favorite? The notion that pearls are mermaid tears—which explains why wearing our pearl jewelry makes you feel both elegant and slightly melancholic, like a fabulous sea creature longing for shore.

For the finest pearls in mythology-worthy settings, Mikimoto has been perfecting pearl jewelry since 1893, while our Robinson’s Bridal collection features pearl pieces that would make any mermaid reconsider her underwater existence.

Amethyst: The Original Hangover Cure

Here’s a gemstone with a practical ancient application! The Greeks believed amethyst could prevent drunkenness—the name literally means “not intoxicated” in Ancient Greek. They carved drinking vessels from amethyst and believed wearing the stone could keep you sober. While we don’t recommend testing this theory at your next wine tasting, our amethyst jewelry certainly makes you look sophisticated enough to handle your liquor.

Medieval soldiers also wore amethyst for protection in battle, believing it had healing powers. Today, our amethyst rings from designers like Sofer Jewelry might not prevent hangovers, but they’re guaranteed to cure boring outfit syndrome.

Opals: The Good Luck/Bad Luck Rollercoaster

Opals have the most confusing mythological reputation—they’ve been considered both incredibly lucky and terribly unlucky throughout history. The ancient Romans saw them as symbols of hope and purity, while Arabic legends claimed opals fell from heaven in flashes of lightning. But thanks to a misunderstood 19th-century novel where an opal-bearing heroine meets a tragic end, these gorgeous gems developed an unfair reputation for bringing bad luck.

We’re happy to report that at Robinson’s Jewelers, our opal jewelry has caused exactly zero documented catastrophes—just plenty of compliments and envy. For opals that defy superstition, check out designs from Pasquale Bruni and EFFY.

Moonstone: Captured Moonbeams

If you’ve ever seen the ethereal glow of moonstone and felt like you were holding moonlight, you’re not alone—that’s exactly what ancient civilizations believed! Roman natural historian Pliny the Elder wrote that moonstone changed appearance with the phases of the moon, while Hindu mythology considered it solidified moonbeams.

Our moonstone jewelry collection captures this celestial magic beautifully. Whether you choose a moonstone pendant or moonstone earrings, you’re wearing what our ancestors believed was literal captured moonlight. For moonstone pieces with modern magic, explore designs from Roman & Jules and Fana.

Create Your Own Modern Mythology at Robinson’s Jewelers

The wonderful thing about these ancient stories is that they remind us that jewelry has always been more than just decoration—it’s been magic, protection, power, and storytelling. At Robinson’s Jewelers, we honor these traditions by curating pieces that would make even the most discerning ancient deity swoon.

Whether you’re drawn to the fiery drama of rubies, the celestial magic of moonstones, or the timeless elegance of diamonds, each piece in our collection comes with centuries of stories waiting to be continued by you. Visit our brands page to explore all our designers, or stop by our showroom to find the piece that will start your own legendary story.

After all, why just wear jewelry when you can wear mythology?