From the deep blue of a Kashmir sapphire to the vivid green of a Colombian emerald, colored gemstones bring a world of personality and meaning to fine jewelry. Explore the stones that have captivated humanity for millennia.
Sapphire, ruby, and emerald have been the most coveted colored gemstones throughout history. Known collectively as the Big Three, these precious stones account for the vast majority of the colored gemstone market and have adorned royalty, inspired legends, and symbolized love for centuries.
While blue is the most iconic sapphire color, this remarkable stone exists in virtually every hue of the rainbow — pink, yellow, orange (padparadscha), green, purple, and even colorless (white sapphire). Only red corundum is classified as ruby; all other colors are sapphires.
The most prized sapphires display a rich, velvety blue with excellent saturation. Kashmir sapphires, famed for their cornflower blue hue and silky luster, are the rarest and most valuable. Sri Lankan (Ceylon) sapphires offer brilliant medium blues, while Myanmar (Burmese) stones tend toward a deeper royal blue.
The rarest of the Big Three, fine rubies in larger sizes can actually surpass diamonds in per-carat price. Ruby is the red variety of corundum, with its color caused by trace amounts of chromium. The most desirable shade is known as “pigeon blood” red — a pure, vivid red with a subtle hint of blue.
Burmese rubies from the Mogok Valley are historically the most prized, though fine specimens also come from Mozambique, which has emerged as a major source of high-quality stones. Heat treatment to improve color and clarity is common and accepted in the trade.
Emeralds are almost always included — the French term “jardin” (garden) describes the mossy, organic inclusions that give each stone its unique fingerprint. Unlike other gems where clarity is paramount, emeralds are valued primarily for their color, with a rich, saturated green being the highest prize.
Colombian emeralds are the benchmark, prized for their warm, slightly bluish green and exceptional transparency. Zambian emeralds offer a cooler, deeper green with generally better clarity. Because of their included nature, emeralds are typically oiled to improve appearance — a centuries-old practice that is considered standard and acceptable.
Every month has a gemstone (or two) associated with it, creating a deeply personal connection between a piece of jewelry and its wearer. Birthstone jewelry makes a meaningful gift for any occasion.
Not every gemstone can handle the rigors of daily wear in a ring. Understanding the Mohs hardness scale helps you choose the right stone for the right piece of jewelry — and keep it looking beautiful for decades.
The Mohs scale measures a mineral's resistance to scratching on a scale of 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest). For rings that will be worn daily, gemologists generally recommend a hardness of 7 or above. Earrings and pendants, which endure far less contact, can safely feature softer stones.
Diamond, sapphire, ruby, alexandrite, spinel, topaz, aquamarine, and tourmaline are all durable enough for engagement rings and everyday bands. These stones resist scratching from common surfaces like countertops, door handles, and keyboards.
Emerald (7.5–8 but brittle), opal, pearl, moonstone, turquoise, tanzanite, and lapis lazuli are better suited for earrings, pendants, and brooches. If used in rings, they benefit from protective bezel settings and careful handling.
Clean most gemstones with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners for emeralds, opals, pearls, and tanzanite. Remove gemstone rings before gardening, heavy lifting, or using chemicals. Store pieces separately to prevent harder stones from scratching softer ones. Have your settings inspected annually to catch loose prongs early.
Just as with diamonds, many colored gemstones are now available in lab-grown versions. Lab-grown sapphires, rubies, and emeralds share the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and optical properties as their natural counterparts. They are real gemstones — the only difference is their origin.
| Factor | Natural Gemstones | Lab-Grown Gemstones |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Formed in the earth over millions of years | Created in a laboratory in weeks to months |
| Composition | Identical mineral composition | Identical mineral composition |
| Inclusions | Natural inclusions unique to each stone | Fewer inclusions, higher clarity typical |
| Price | Higher, especially for fine quality | Significantly more affordable |
| Resale Value | Holds value better over time | Lower resale value |
| Environmental Impact | Mining required | Lower environmental footprint |
At Diamonds Above, we offer both natural and lab-grown gemstones. We help you understand the differences so you can make the choice that feels right for your values, your vision, and your budget. Both options produce stunning, lasting jewelry.
Colored gemstones open a world of creative possibilities. Whether you envision a sapphire engagement ring, a three-stone ring with emerald side stones, or a birthstone pendant for a milestone birthday, our design team brings your ideas to life.
Our custom design process begins with a conversation. You share your inspiration — a color, a feeling, a sketch, a photo you love — and our gemologist helps you select the perfect stone. From there, our designer creates a 3D rendering for your approval before our master jeweler brings the piece to life.
Gemstones can serve as the center stone of an engagement ring, accent stones flanking a diamond, or the sole star of a cocktail ring or pendant. We source stones directly from trusted dealers in Sri Lanka, Colombia, Thailand, and other key origins, ensuring quality and provenance.