Editor’s Note
This article explores how gemstones transcend their physical properties to become enduring cultural symbols, weaving together natural history, artistry, and human meaning.
What makes a gemstone culturally resonant, beautiful and meaningful across time?
A technical answer to this has to do with how gems are valued for rarity, durability and beauty. But beyond that, gemstones are powerful because they live in many worlds simultaneously. They’re incredible natural marvels—formed deep in the earth through heat, pressure, tree resin and starlight. They’re also canvases for art and design—cut, polished, and set to capture light and imagination, whether by an ancient craftsman, a house like Cartier or a designer like Marlo Laz. And then there’s the layer that makes them timeless: sentiment. Gems are passed down, gifted, worn for protection or luck. They carry myths of superpowers, lightning bolts and gods’ tears—but also the very real memory of a grandmother’s ring or a birthday treasure. They carry the stories of our world.
What made you want to create a book as the next evolution of Super Smalls, and why now?
“Storytelling has always been our spark—it’s the passion running through everything we create. And of course, we’re completely obsessed with magic, and just as obsessed with gems. We’ve always imagined Super Smalls as a world built around joy, imagination and connection. A book felt like the perfect way to deepen that world. We wanted to give kids and grown-ups something to slow down with and explore together—a shared experience that lives off-screen and sparks wonder. And honestly, gems are the original storytellers. It felt like the right moment to capture their magic in a new form.”
Sisters and Super Smalls co-founders Maria Dueñas Jacobs (right) and Bianca Gottesman (left) have built their brand on the belief that luxury and play can coexist beautifully in children’s lives.Courtesy of Super Smalls
How did you think about translating tactile sparkle into the flat pages of a book?
“We knew we couldn’t just tell people about sparkle—we had to show it. So we drew from the masters—Cartier, Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels and other iconic houses and designers—because who better to prove how raw stones become true works of art? Pairing those jaw-dropping pieces with rich photography, bold illustrations and playful, kid-friendly language lets us bring that tactile magic onto the page. Each spread is designed to feel like you’ve cracked open a treasure box—full of science, history and a little bit of wonder—even if you can’t actually touch the gems.”
In creating The Super Smalls Super Book of Gems, what surprised you most about the myths, meanings or misunderstood history of birthstones?
“What surprised us most was realizing there isn’t one fixed list of birthstones—it changes depending on culture and history. In Western tradition, they’re tied to the month you’re born. In contrast, in many Eastern traditions, birthstones were matched to your zodiac sign or a celestial body, like a planet or star, believed to influence your life. The idea was that wearing a gem linked to your star sign or ruling planet would actually enhance your natural strengths—like cosmic jewelry superpowers.”
“Ancient cultures believed gems could protect you, bring luck or even cure nightmares. Some legends are wonderfully wild—like that amethysts could quicken your intelligence, emeralds could improve your eyesight, or diamonds could form when lightning bolts struck the earth.”
How do major jewelry houses like Van Cleef or Bulgari use narrative and fantasy to build value around stones?
“Luxury houses are master storytellers. They know a stone is beautiful, but a stone with a story becomes unforgettable. Whether it’s the tale of how it was formed, how it was found, who wore it or what it symbolizes, the depth and fantasy elevate it. Kids crave story and magic, too, and they deserve objects that come with meaning.”
What should a consumer look for when introducing children to fine jewelry or jewelry culture?
“Kids are natural magpies drawn to sparkle, color and stories. So, the best way to introduce them is to focus on jewelry as a form of culture and storytelling, not just as something fancy or expensive. A birthstone ring, for example, connects them to history, science and even a little magic.”
