Gemstones & Materials
Honest about every stone and every metal
We believe you should know exactly what you're wearing — and why. Here's a plain-English guide to the gemstones and metals we use, so you can choose the piece that's right for you. Whatever you pick, it's labelled clearly and priced fairly.
The stones
Three honest choices — each beautiful, each clearly named on every product.
Natural gemstones
Mined from the earth and formed over millions of years. No two are identical — the gentle variations in colour and the tiny marks inside are the fingerprint of a real, earth-grown stone.
Why choose it: one-of-a-kind character, natural rarity, and a stone with a genuine story.
On our site: labelled Natural — e.g. Natural Peridot, Natural Moss Agate.
Lab-grown gemstones
A real gemstone — chemically and physically identical to its mined version — simply grown in a lab rather than the ground. A lab-grown emerald is still an emerald.
Why choose it: the same beauty for less, brighter clarity and more consistent colour, and no mining — a kinder, more sustainable choice.
On our site: labelled Lab-Grown / Genuine Lab — e.g. Mira Genuine Lab Emerald.
Cubic zirconia (CZ)
A man-made stone (zirconium dioxide) prized for its brilliant sparkle. It's a diamond and gemstone simulant — not a natural or lab-grown gemstone of that type, but a beautiful, hard-wearing stone in its own right, in every colour.
Why choose it: dazzling sparkle, brilliant value, and durability for everyday wear.
How we label it: always called CZ — so an "aquamarine-coloured CZ" is exactly that, never sold as genuine aquamarine.
How to read a stone name
If the name says Natural or Lab-Grown, it's a genuine gemstone. If it says CZ, it's cubic zirconia. We put it right in the name, so there's never any doubt about what you're buying.
The metals
From solid gold heirlooms to accessible everyday designs — always clearly named.
Solid gold (9k · 14k · 18k)
Gold all the way through — never plated or layered. The higher the karat, the more gold it contains and the richer the colour: 9k, 14k or 18k. A small, special range made to be kept for a lifetime.
Why choose it: the ultimate in longevity, naturally hypoallergenic, and a true heirloom that holds its value.
On our site: labelled Solid 9k / 14k / 18k Gold.
14k gold vermeil
A thick layer of real 14k gold bonded over solid 925 sterling silver. "Vermeil" is a regulated term — it must be real gold over a precious-metal base, not a thin flash over cheap metal.
Why choose it: the warmth of real gold with a solid silver core, hard-wearing for everyday, and gentle on sensitive skin.
On our site: labelled 14k Gold Vermeil.
Sterling silver (925)
92.5% pure silver — a classic precious metal, worn beautifully on its own and the trusted base beneath our vermeil.
Why choose it: a timeless cool-toned finish, precious-metal quality, and kind to sensitive skin.
On our site: labelled 925 Sterling Silver.
14k gold-plated
A layer of 14k gold over a brass base. It's how we keep beautiful designs accessible — especially as silver prices rise — so there's a Rainbow Rocks piece for every budget.
Why choose it: the look you love at the friendliest price, and light to wear.
How we label it: we always tell you the base is brass. Most brands just write "gold plated" and leave the brass unsaid — we don't.
Caring for your jewellery
Keep it dry, store it away from moisture and perfume, and wipe gently with a soft cloth. Treated kindly, every piece — solid gold, vermeil, sterling silver or gold-plated — keeps its shine for years. And every Rainbow Rocks piece is covered by our 365-day guarantee.
A fair price, always
Whatever you choose, we price it honestly — beautiful design and clear labelling, never inflated. That's the whole idea behind Rainbow Rocks.
