First discovered in Russia, Alexandrite (named, you guessed it, after the Russian tsar, Alexander II), is more expensive than a sapphire, a ruby or an emerald. It is exceptionally hard and has a unique color-changing effect, which is what makes this stone so wonderfully beautiful. Often referred to as an ‘emerald by day and a ruby by night’ Alexandrite exhibits a different color in natural and artificial light, creating two looks in one stone.
A bluish-green tint can be seen in daylight and fluorescent light, while an elegant purplish red can be seen in candle light or incandescent light. It’s the perfect stone for you if you like a different look from day to night.
Alexandrite is the color-change variety of the gem species chrysoberyl, which is well-known for its chatoyancy, also known as its ‘cat’s eye effect’. Alexandrite is one of the June birthstones, along with moonstone and pearl.
Loose Alexandrite Gemstones
Birthstone: June
Wedding anniversary: 55th
Mohs hardness: 8.5 / 10
You will also like: color changing sapphire
Looks great set in: yellow gold
The dreamy blue to blue-green Aquamarine gets its name from the Latin term ‘aqua marina’, which translates into English as ‘water of the sea’. Aquamarine was, at one time, a very popular stone amongst sailors who would take the stones with them before a long voyage to protect against seasickness and unexpected accidents.
Aquamarine comes in beautiful ocean tones from deep blue and blue- green tint to light blue. Pick your favorite hue for your next piece of jewelry and always carry the ocean with you.
Color variations
Aquamarine is a member of the beryl family, and its tone and saturation can vary from very light and almost imperceptible to richer, deeper colors. Its value depends on the depth and purity of its color and clarity. Depending on the inclusions and cut, some aquamarines show chatoyancy or cat eyes. Aquamarine is also the birthstone for March.
Loose Aquamarine Gemstones
Birthstone: March
Wedding anniversary: 19th
Mohs hardness: 7.5 – 8 / 10
You will also like: blue topaz
Looks great set in: white gold / platinum / sterling silver
Amethyst is February’s birthstone and is the world’s most popular purple gemstone. The richest and most powerful monarchs of medieval times once imperiously adorned themselves with amethysts because of their dazzling purple hue, which was traditionally a color of royalty.
Today, you no longer have to be a member of royalty to wear this lovely gem, but it still retains its royal appearance. It’s also one of the most popular crystals as it is believed to have powerful healing and protective qualities, relieving stress and irritability. It is a semi-precious stone and is formed inside volcanic rocks that are created by volcanic lava.
The purple color that is most associated with amethyst is due to the presence of iron that has been irradiated. Its beautiful range of rich hues from dark purple to softer light purple truly give them a regal look. The amethyst is the perfect stone for color that pops and a calming energy.
Most amethysts are found in volcanic rocks, with the largest deposits in Brazil and Uruguay, but there are deposits all over the world. Prior to the discovery of Brazil and Uruguay’s vast deposits, most commercially mined amethyst came from Russia and Siberia.
Color variations
We often think of amethyst as a dark purple gem only, but amethysts actually occur in a range of colors from a barely perceptible light purple to a rich, dark, nearly opaque purple. Amethyst can also be reddish, purple and when both amethyst and citrine are discovered in a quartz gemstone, you get ametrine, which comes in beautiful bands of yellow and purple.
Loose Amethyst Gemstones
Birthstone: February
Wedding anniversary: 6th
Mohs hardness: 7 /10
You will also like: tanzanite
Looks great set in: yellow gold / white gold / platinum / sterling silver
The name chalcedony comes from the Latin word ‘chalcedonius’, a term used for a translucent kind of jasper, and is actually a type of quartz mineral that comes in many forms and colors, including agate, carnelian and onyx, to name a few. Blue chalcedony, usually translucent and ethereal in quality, is most popular in jewelry. It is revered for the effortless way it reflects and moves with light, much like water. Chalcedony in its raw form has a waxy luster but can be polished to a high gloss, and may be semi-transparent to translucent. It also can be found in a variety of blue colors, ranging from light transparent blue to a solid baby or sky blue.
It is recorded in and reflected in many a history account dating back to the Greeks that Chalcedony brings the wearer a sense of steadiness and calm, helping to avoid impulsivity. It is the stone of self-reflection, and you could imagine gazing into its cloudy depths to gain a better understanding of yourself.
Loose Blue Chalcedony
Mohs hardness: 6.5 – 7 / 10
You will also like: turquoise
Looks great in: yellow gold / white gold / platinum / silver
Sunny yellow citrine gets its name from the French word for lemon, ‘citron’. Citrine is a member of the quartz family and comes in shades of yellow, yellow-brown, orange, orange-brown, and reddish-brown.
While natural citrine is rare, it remains one of the most popular yellow gemstones. Wearing this stone is a lovely way to bring a little sunshine into your life.
Loose Citrine Gemstones
Birthstone: November
Wedding anniversary: 13th
Mohs hardness: 7 / 10
You will also like: orange-yellow topaz and yellow sapphire
Looks great set in: yellow gold
Due to their high level of inclusion, black diamonds don’t shine like other diamonds by reflecting light. Instead, they absorb the light and this gives them their beautiful marble-like, or even metallic look.
Black diamonds are polycrystalline in structure, made up of millions of smaller inclusions bound together and this is what gives them their color. This is why you will also see patches of dark gray appear in some black diamonds.
They make a very unique engagement ring with dramatic flair, and because they are indeed diamonds, they are extremely durable and will last for decades.
Loose Black Diamonds
Mohs hardness: 10 / 10
You will also like: onyx
Looks great in: rose gold / white gold / yellow gold / platinum / silver
Natural blue diamonds come from below the earth’s surface and are extremely rare. The steel blue tone of a natural blue diamond brings to mind a rolling deep sea, as opposed to other blue stones like aquamarine or sapphires, which are brighter like the sky or a tropical cove. Most blue diamonds found today have been treated with heat and have a brighter blue color. The natural stone gets its color from the trace of boron in the crystal lattice of the diamond. They have a slight hint of gray and will never be as bold and saturated in color as a gemstone like a blue sapphire.
The most famous blue diamond is The Hope Diamond, weighing 45.5 carats. Blue diamonds are found in a stunning light to deep blue color depending on the amount of boron present. As the color and carat weight increases so does the price.
Loose Blue Diamonds
Mohs hardness: 10 / 10
You will also like: blue topaz, blue sapphire, blue zircon, and blue tourmaline
Looks great set in: yellow gold / white gold / platinum / silver
Brown diamonds have many names, also sometimes referred to as champagne, cognac, and even “Chocolate Diamonds” as the company Le Vian called them in a 2000 marketing campaign. They are the most common fancy colored diamonds and have a rich jewelry history going back to the second century when the Romans used to set them in rings.
Most of today’s brown diamonds came from the Argyle mine in Australia, the very same mine that is home to many of the rarest pink diamonds in the world (this mine has since closed). Brown diamonds get their beautiful deep rich colors from just a hint of other colors including pink, yellow, and orange.
Loose Brown Diamonds
Mohs hardness: 10 / 10
You will also like: smoky quartz
Looks great set in: yellow gold / white gold / platinum / silver
Pure pink diamonds, sometimes referred to as ‘rose colored’, are as popular as they are rare. Until the 1970s when geologists found a diamond in the Kimberly region of Australia, they were even rarer. After further exploration, the Argyle diamond mine was opened in 1983 and became the first major diamond-mining operation in Australia. It is estimated that about 90% of the pink diamonds found today are from the Argyle mine, which unfortunately has since closed.
Unlike blue diamonds, which get their color from boron, it is not exactly clear how pink diamonds get their color although plastic deformation is believed to be the cause. It is believed that the beautiful coloring is due to the diamond creation process as pink diamonds are subjected to a greater amount of pressure than any other diamond. Pink diamonds are exceedingly romantic and considered quite classically feminine in their rosy hue.
Loose Pink Diamonds
Mohs hardness: 10 / 10
You will also like: morganite, pink topaz, and pink tourmaline
Looks great set in: rose gold / white gold / platinum / silver
The colorless diamond is the classic and timeless symbol of devotion and love. In India, by 300 BC, diamonds were first used to engrave other gemstones as they are the hardest, naturally occurring substance on earth. Natural, mined diamonds are formed below the earth’s surface under intense heat and pressure, and are almost 100% carbon.
Today, they are mined as well as grown in labs, with the goal of attaining a flawless stone, free of inclusions or imperfections, and as close to colorless as possible. They are graded on an internationally recognized scale of quality according to their cut, clarity, carat weight, and color.
Loose White Diamonds
Birthstone: April
Wedding anniversary: 10th & 60th & 75th
Mohs hardness: 10 / 10
You will also like: lab-created diamonds, moissanite, white sapphire, and for a less pricey option, cubic zirconia (CZ)
The first yellow diamond was found in South Africa by a teenager playing in the grass. It was named the Eureka Diamond. Fine yellow diamonds are often described as canary diamonds and get their color from the presence of nitrogen. Even white diamonds generally have a small hint of yellow in them, and those with color beyond the range of Z are graded on their own fancy-colored diamond scale.
The deeper and purer the hue, the more valuable the stone. The rarest yellow diamonds are formed in nature, with the most variety of shades and hue intensities. After brown, yellow is the next most common fancy colored diamond and the most affordable of all fancy colors.
Loose Yellow Diamonds
Mohs hardness: 10 / 10
You will also like: yellow sapphire
Looks great set in: yellow gold / white gold / platinum / silver
Ancient folklore says that putting an emerald under your tongue will help you see the future and looking into a natural emerald is said to be like looking into a beautiful garden. The verdant green color is said to bring luck or good fortune. Folklore aside, an emerald’s wonderful, natural inclusions makes it not just beautiful, but also alluring and unique.
Columbia yields the finest emeralds in the world followed by Brazil and Zambia. Because they are less dense than diamonds, a one carat emerald will appear larger than a diamond of the same carat weight, so they’re ideal for anyone looking to maximize stone size while staying within a budget.
Loose Emerald Gemstones
Birthstone: May
Wedding anniversary: 20th & 35th
Mohs hardness: 7.5 – 8 / 10
You will also like: tsavorite garnet, green tourmaline
Looks great set in: yellow gold
The garnet, while usually thought of as a gemstone, is actually a mineral group, and not all garnets are red, as is commonly believed. Garnets can also come in many colors including beautiful greens and blues, and some are even colorless. Some garnets also have special inclusions that make them unique and distinctive.
The stone is said to be a symbol of long lasting friendship and to enhance karma. If you do good while wearing the stone, more good will come your way. Ready to choose your garnet jewelry and have a little good come your way?
Loose Garnet Gemstones
Birthstone: January
Wedding anniversary: 2nd
Mohs hardness: 6.5 – 7.5 /10
You will also like: ruby, emerald, and tourmaline
Looks great set: in yellow gold
Iolite gemstones are known as ‘water sapphires’ as they are a rich transparent blue-violet color but also appear colorless to yellow when viewed from another direction. They are a lovely and affordable alternative to tanzanite, another stone of the same color. The name comes from the Greek word ‘ios’, which means violet.
It is said that using an iolite to observe the sky, the Vikings were able to locate the position of the sun on an overcast day. Like a Polaroid, iolite cancels out clouds, mist and haze making things appear clearer. Known as a stone of vision, iolite is a beautiful stone to help you if you are unsure where to go.
Loose Iolite Gemstones
Mohs hardness: 7 – 7.5 / 10
You will also like: blue sapphire
Looks great in: white gold / platinum / silver
Jade refers to two different minerals called nephrite and jadeite. Nephrite is known as ‘mutton fat’ in China as it is a creamy white and light green color and was the first type of jade to be used. Records show the first mining occurred as far back as 6000 BC. The more well-known jadeite comes in many colors like black, lavender, white, dark green and red, and is often mottled.
Gem carvers use this to their advantage when shaping jade into sculpture or stones to be used in jewelry. Green jade is said to calm the mind and promote peace and harmony. In Chinese culture, green jade should be placed under the pillow of a person who wants to experience very clear dreams. It is the national stone of Japan.
Loose Jade Gemstones
Wedding anniversary: 12th
Mohs hardness: 6.5 – 7 / 10
You will also like: amazontie or chrysoprase
Looks great in: yellow gold / white gold / platinum / silver
Lapis lazuli means ‘stone of blue’. The strong blue sometimes has hints of violet with small veins of pyrite ( pyrite is also known as fool’s gold). Top quality lapis lazuli comes from Afghanistan where it has been mined for 6000 years.
It is now also found in Siberia, Chile, the U.S., Pakistan and Canada. In prehistoric times it was ground to a powder and used as a pigment by artists and to dye clothes.
Loose Lapis Lazuli Gemstones
Mohs hardness: 5 – 5.5 / 10
Wedding anniversary: 7th & 9th
You will also like: blue sapphire
Looks great in: yellow gold / white gold / platinum / silver
Moissanite was named after Henri Moissan, the French scientist who discovered it in Arizona back in 1893. Moissan first thought he had found a diamond after discovering it in a meteorite crater, which is why it was given the nicknames ‘stardust’ and ‘space diamond’. Made from silicon carbide, these stones have a high resemblance to natural diamonds and are often used as a more affordable substitute.
Whereas colorless diamonds are made of pure carbon, moissanite is a near-colorless, naturally occurring gemstone composed of silicon carbide. It is favored by many because of its high refractive index, which is a technical term referring to how much a gem bends light. This quality indicates that it has a lot of brilliance; it is even higher than a diamond’s brilliance. Moissanite also has a higher dispersion than a diamond, which means it reflects a more colored sparkle. Moissanite engagement rings are a popular alternative to diamond engagement rings.
Loose Moissanite Gemstones
Mohs hardness: 9.25 / 10
You will also like: white diamond, white sapphire, white zircon, and cubic zirconia
Looks great set in: yellow gold / white gold / rose gold /platinum / silver
Moonstone is distinguished from other stones by the presence of the optical phenomenon adularescence. Adularescent gemstones have a milky or bluish iridescent quality. This glowing blue iridescence or light becomes visible when the stone is rotated in front of a light source. The light moves across the stone like the glow of moonlight. This special quality is found in all stones in the feldspar group. Ancient cultures believed the stone was created from moonbeams.
Moonstones go up in value when they are more transparent. Being somewhat fragile with a Mohs hardness of 6-6.5, they are popular cut in the cabochon style but can also be faceted or carved, and the wearer must take care.
Loose Moonstone Gemstone
Wedding anniversary: 13th
Mohs hardness: 6 – 6.5 / 10
You will also like: white opal
Looks great in: rose gold / yellow gold / white gold / platinum / silver
Morganite was first discovered in Madagascar in 1910, and is named for J.P. Morgan, who was a large financial supporter of the arts and sciences and an avid gem collector. Morganite is favored for its pretty pink to peachy-pink color, caused by the presence of manganese during formation. Recently, morganite has become a popular alternative to pink diamonds. Morganite is part of the beryl mineral family and is rarer than aquamarine.
One of its most interesting qualities is that it exhibits a red fluorescence when exposed to X-rays. If you are looking for a beautiful blush stone that is very rare, this is the stone for you!
Loose Morganite Gemstones
Mohs hardness: 7.5 – 8 / 10
You will also like: pink tourmaline, pink diamond
Looks great in: rose gold / white gold / platinum / silver
Onyx is a chalcedony quartz mined in Brazil, Peru, California, Uruguay and India. Predominantly black in color, some onyx show white bands. Created from the silica deposits of volcanic eruptions, they are part of the quartz family and have a smooth and waxy luster.
Onyx is a very good stone choice to use for carving, and there are many examples of stunning cameos to prove it. Most onyx that is commercially available today is heat treated or color enhanced to increase depth of color. The bold inky black onyx is the most popular, and is also used as an alternative to black diamonds. It can be carved, faceted, or cut into a cabochon shape.
Loose Onyx Gemstones
Wedding Anniversary: 7th & 10th
Mohs hardness: 6.5 – 7 / 10
You will also like: black diamonds
Looks great in: yellow gold / rose gold / white gold / platinum / silver
Black opals are considered one of the rarest of gemstones. The name refers to its dark body color which can also be dark gray, flecked with colorful galaxies that seem to play in the light. The opal is the national gemstone of Australia, with 95% of the world’s opals coming from the Australian continent. It is said that the name opal came from the Greek word ‘Opallios’ which means to see a change of color.
Interestingly, opals are formed from rain and usually contain 10-20% water. As the water runs down through the earth, it collects in the cracks inside rocks. Most of the water then evaporates and forms a silica deposit that eventually turns into opal. When opal is cut for jewelry, much care is taken to emphasize the play of color that is so unique to this stone, and no two opals can ever be alike.
Loose Black Opal Gemstones
Mohs hardness: 5.5 – 6 / 10
You will also like: black agate and onyx
Looks great set in: yellow gold / white gold / rose gold / platinum / silver
It is said that the name opal came from the Greek word ‘Opallios’ which means to see a change of color. Interestingly, opals are formed from rain and usually contain 10-20% water. As the water runs down through the earth, it collects in the cracks inside rocks. Most of the water then evaporates and forms a silica deposit that eventually turns into opal.
Mexican fire opal is named after its brilliant orange to red color. Mined in Mexico, this opal is lighter in weight than other types of opals. These opals have one body color and do not contain flashes of light like the other opals. Aztec and Mayan people believed that the fire opal was created in the heavens. The orange color of a fire opal comes from the iron content within the stone. The most highly prized fire opals are in fact transparent and have a play of color within the stone. Always beautiful and rare, these stones are spectacular.
Loose Mexican Fire Opal Gemstones
Mohs hardness: 5.5 – 6.5 / 10
You will also like: orange sapphire
Looks great in: yellow gold / white gold / platinum / silver
Opal is the national gemstone of Australia with 95% of the world’s opals coming from that continent. It is said that the name opal came from the Greek word ‘Opallios’ which means to see a change of color. Interestingly opals are formed from rain and usually contain 10-20% water. As the water runs down through the earth, it collects in the cracks inside rocks. Most of the water then evaporates and forms a silica deposit that eventually turns into opal.
Opal’s unique quality is the play of color that occurs when light hits. White opals get their name from the background color, which is white. The flashes of color change, much like a kaleidoscope, providing a beautiful show to anyone looking. When opal is cut for jewelry, much care is taken to emphasize the play of color that is so unique to this stone, and no two opals can ever be alike.
Loose White Opal Gemstones
Wedding anniversary: 12th / 14th
Mohs hardness: 5.5 – 6.5 / 10
You will also like: moonstone
Looks great in: rose gold / white gold / platinum / silver
First documented by Chinese historians in 2206 BC, pearls are the only gemstone to come from a living creature, and because of this, no two pearls are alike. They also come in an array of lovely colors including white, cream, pink, brown and even black. Their shape and hue depends on the type of mollusc that created them and the water in which they lived.
Pearls need special care when used in jewelry pieces which can come in contact with lotions, soap and other harsh detergents or chemicals. Pearls are delicate enough to be harmed even by chemicals present in our cosmetics. One interesting fact about pearls is that they contain about 3-5% water as a part of their natural composition and should not be exposed to any desiccants. You may also need to get it checked periodically by your jeweler, lest it loses too much water and becomes loose in its setting.
American actress Grace Kelly famously made the statement ‘the pearl is the queen of gems and the gem of queens’. Are you ready to feel like a queen too?
Loose Pearls
Birthstone: June
Wedding anniversary: 3rd & 30th
Mohs hardness: 2.5 / 10
You will also like: opal and moonstone
Looks great set in: white gold / platinum / sterling silver
Otherworldly peridots are found in lava deposited by volcanic eruptions, as well as meteorites that fell to Earth. They are also found deep inside the Earth’s mantle, which we think makes it one of the most ancient and mysterious gems. Unlike many other gems, which can vary wildly in color, peridots are one of the few gemstones that only occur in one color, green. Beautiful and bold, they range from shades of bright lime to deep olive depending on the iron contents within the structure of the gem.
Peridots are one of the oldest known gemstones, with ancient documents recording mining of peridots as early as 1500 B.C. In ancient times it was believed to cure asthma if held under the tongue. Peridot can be faceted into brilliant cuts and are judged for their clarity and color. They make beautiful centerpieces for any piece of jewelry.
Loose Peridot Gemstones
Birthstone: August
Wedding anniversary: 16th
Mohs hardness: 6.5 – 7 /10
You will also like: green tourmaline
Looks great set in: yellow gold
The world’s best rhodolite, a type of garnet, comes from the Umba River Valley, Tanzania, first found in 1978. It differs from garnet’s deep red in that it is more raspberry in tone, the most valuable and rare being a medium to medium-high tone with strong pinkish-red color saturation.
The miners called rhodolite ‘Spirit Color’ due to its resemblance to gasoline. It has many nicknames such as Montana Ruby, New Mexico Ruby, and Arizona Ruby. Because it is such a bright and energized stone, rhodolite is often worn as a symbol of good luck.
Loose Rhodolite Granet Gemstones
Wedding anniversary: 15th
Mohs hardness: 7 – 7.5 / 10
You will also like: pink tourmaline
Looks great set in: yellow gold / white gold / rose gold / platinum / silver
The word ruby comes from the Latin word ‘ruber’, which means red. The ruby shares many of the associations with that color: passion, love, anger, devotion, and the blood of life. Rubies are a variety of the mineral corundum, ranging in color from purplish red to blood-red, and they get that color from the traces of chromium within them. Chromium is also responsible for the fluorescence that occurs in most rubies, a glow when exposed to UV lights.
Currently Thailand is one of the leading ruby mining and production countries in the world. Others include Sri Lanka, India & Madagascar.
Loose Ruby Gemstones
Birthstone: July
Wedding anniversary: 15th & 40th & 80th
Mohs hardness: 9 / 10
You will also like: garnet
Looks great set in: yellow gold
The word sapphire comes from the Latin and Greek words for blue: ‘sapphirus’ and ‘sappheiros’, respectively. While we commonly think of sapphires as coming in vibrant blue colors, they actually come in almost every color of the rainbow including green, orange, peach, pink, purple, teal and yellow.
The blue sapphire inspires a connotation of royalty, and indeed the most famous blue sapphires sit in the famed engagement ring designed by British jewelry designer Garrard and worn by both the late Princess Diana and Princess Kate Middleton. Belonging to the family of minerals called corundum, they are the strongest natural gemstones, second only to diamonds.
Loose Blue Sapphire Gemstones
Birthstone: September
Wedding anniversary: 5th, 45th, 70th
Mohs hardness: 9 / 10
You will also like: tanzanite/ blue topaz/ blue zircon
Looks great set in: white gold / platinum / sterling silver
The word sapphire comes from the Latin and Greek words for blue: ‘sapphirus’ and ‘sappheiros’, respectively. While we commonly think of sapphires as coming in vibrant blue colors, they actually come in almost every color of the rainbow including green, orange, peach, pink, purple, teal and yellow.
Pink is one of the rarest colors of sapphire. The different hues depend on the amount of trace element in the stone. If the sapphire is a deeper pink it means there is more chromium present. Mined in Madagascar, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, the pink sapphire’s place of origin doesn’t impact the price or value. Before the 1990s they were considered very rare until a new deposit in Madagascar was discovered.
Loose PInk Sapphire Gemstones
Mohs hardness: 9 / 10
You will also like: morganite, pink tourmaline
Looks great set in: white gold / platinum / sterling silver
The word sapphire comes from the Latin and Greek words for blue: ‘sapphirus’ and ‘sappheiros’, respectively. While we commonly think of sapphires as coming in vibrant blue colors, they actually come in almost every color of the rainbow. White or colorless sapphires have a great deal of brilliance for a clear stone, making them an excellent alternative to diamonds.
In fact, these stones are used as imitation diamonds the world over as they are one of the hardest stones and well priced. With a lower refractive index they have less fire ( less sparkle) and require frequent cleaning. A beautiful choice nonetheless.
Loose White Sapphire Gemstones
Mohs hardness: 9 / 10
You will also like: natural white diamond, lab grown white diamond, moissanite, cubic zirconia
Looks great set in: yellow gold / rose gold / white gold / platinum / sterling silver
The word sapphire comes from the Latin and Greek words for blue: ‘sapphirus’ and ‘sappheiros’, respectively. While we commonly think of sapphires as coming in vibrant blue colors, they actually come in almost every color of the rainbow including green, orange, peach, pink, purple, teal and yellow. Yellow sapphires belong to the family corundum. They are the second hardest natural gemstone after diamonds used in jewelry. The highest quality yellow sapphires are sourced from Sri Lanka. However, yellow sapphires are also available in Tanzania, Madagascar, Thailand and Australia.
A beautiful bright citron color is said to be a lucky stone and help improve financial status. Yellow sapphires are available in a huge range of 1 carat to 24 carats per stone.
Loose Yellow Sapphire Gemstones
Wedding anniversary: 7th
Mohs hardness: 9 / 10
You will also like: citrine
Looks great set in: yellow gold / white gold / platinum / sterling silver
Smoky quartz is the national gem of Scotland and is one of the rarest brown gemstones. These beautiful tan to dark brown transparent stones are a variety of quartz crystals. They have been found in Australia, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Canada, India, Madagascar and the U.S to name a few. The color of the smoky quartz occurs naturally when rock crystal is exposed to natural radiation elements over a long period of time.
Wearing smoky quartz is said to alleviate stress and transform negative emotions into positive ones.
Loose Smokey Quartz Gemstones
Mohs hardness: 7 / 10
You will also like: brown diamonds
Looks great in: yellow gold / white gold / platinum / silver
Spinel comes in a range of colors but red is one of the most popular. As red spinal forms, it creates cubic crystals like a diamond, but it is not as hard. Often mismarketed as fancy color diamonds, red spinels were given the name spinel diamond. Mined in Sri Lanka and Burma, these stones are the perfect, more affordable option to a ruby as well as have great clarity and brilliance like a diamond.
Red spinel has long been mistaken for ruby, and many of the famous ‘rubies’ in history worn by emperors and monarchs were actually red spinel.
Loose Red Spinel Gemstones
Birthstone: August
Wedding anniversary: 15th
Mohs hardness: 8 / 10
You will also like: rubies
Looks great set in: yellow gold / white gold / rose gold / platinum / silver
Believed to have been formed about 585 million years ago, tanzanite was only discovered recently, back in 1967, and they’re found in only one place in the world – the Mererani Hills of Northern Tanzania, near the city of Arusha and Mount Kilimanjaro. Mined in an area measuring only four square kilometers wide, making this bold blue beauty particularly rare.
In fact, Tanzanites are at least 1000 times more rare than diamonds. Tanzanite’s stunning blue color occurs after it’s been heated to 932 degrees Fahrenheit, and most tanzanite on the market today is heat treated to bring out the most desirable color.
Loose Tanzanite Gemstones
Birthstone: December
Wedding anniversary: 24th
Mohs hardness: 6-7 / 10
You will also like: sapphire / blue topaz / blue zircon
Looks great set in: yellow gold
The name tiger’s eye derives from its resemblance to a cat or tiger’s eye. Mined in West Australia, South Africa, USA, India and Canada, tiger’s eye is known for its red-brown color and changeable silky luster reflecting light from its thin golden parallel bands.
Tiger’s eye is a variety of quartz and is said to help the wearer stay grounded during times of stress and trouble as the stone carries a strong and powerful vibration for balance. It is usually cut in a cabochon style to best display the golden bands that traverse its length.
Loose Tigers Eye Gemstones
Mohs hardness: 6.5 – 7 / 10
You will also like: smokey quartz, black star sapphire
Looks great set in: yellow gold
Topaz comes in many colors including yellow, orange, gold, purple, blue, green, and pink. Pink topaz can range from a soft baby pink or peach to a bright to rich pink color. Topaz can be found in countries around the world including Brazil, Zimbabwe, Russia, Germany, and the USA. It is the official stone of Utah and you can even hunt for your very own stone at Topaz Mountain.
The Ancient Greeks believed wearing topaz would increase resilience and prepare you for future hardships. Known as a rainbow stone, there is a topaz for every color in the rainbow and there is a topaz color for everyone.
Loose Pink Topaz Gemstones
Mohs hardness: 8 / 10
You will also like: pink tourmaline, morganite, or pink diamond
Looks great set in: rose gold / white gold / platinum / silver
Topaz comes in many colors including yellow, orange, gold, purple, blue, green, pink, and white. White topaz, aka colorless topaz, is a very popular alternative to diamonds as it is naturally a very hard stone but costs a fraction of the price. Topaz can be found around the world in countries like Brazil, Zimbabwe, Russia, Germany, and the USA. It is the official stone of Utah and you can even hunt for your very own stone at Topaz Mountain.
The Ancient Greeks believed wearing topaz would increase resilience and prepare you for future hardships. Known as a rainbow stone there is a topaz for every color in the rainbow and there is a topaz color for everyone.
Loose White Topaz Gemstones
Mohs hardness: 8 / 10
You will also like: moissanite, natural white diamonds, white sapphire, cubic zirconia
Looks great set in: yellow gold / white gold / rose gold / platinum / silver
Topaz comes in many colors including pink, peach, yellow, orange, gold, purple, blue, and green which has a bright to deep rich color. Topaz can be found in several countries around the world such as Brazil, Zimbabwe, Russia, Germany, and the USA. It is the official stone of Utah and you can even hunt for your very own stone at Topaz Mountain.
The Ancient Greeks believed wearing topaz would increase resilience and prepare you for future hardships. Known as a rainbow stone, there is a topaz for every color in the rainbow and there is a topaz color for everyone.
Loose Green Topaz Gemstones
Mohs hardness: 8 / 10
You will also like: peridot, green tourmaline
Looks great set in: yellow gold / white gold / platinum / silver
Topaz comes in many colors such as pink, peach, yellow, orange, gold, purple, green, and different shades of blue. A London blue topaz has a striking medium blue color, darker than an aquamarine but lighter than blue sapphire. Topaz can be found around the world in countries such as Brazil, Zimbabwe, Russia, Germany, and the USA. It is the official stone of Utah and you can even hunt for your very own stone at Topaz Mountain.
The Ancient Greeks believed wearing topaz would increase resilience and prepare you for future hardships. Known as a rainbow stone, there is a topaz for every color in the rainbow and there is a topaz color for everyone.
Loose London Blue Topaz Gemstones
Mohs hardness: 8 / 10
Wedding anniversary: 4th
You will also like: aquamarine and iolite
Looks great set in: yellow gold / white gold / platinum / silver
Topaz comes in many colors such as pink, peach, yellow, orange, gold, purple, green, and different shades of blue. A sky blue topaz is light blue in color, resembling aquamarine. Topaz can be found in several countries around the world such as Brazil, Zimbabwe, Russia, Germany, and the USA. It is the official stone of Utah and you can even hunt for your very own stone at Topaz Mountain.
The Ancient Greeks believed wearing topaz would increase resilience and prepare you for future hardships. Known as a rainbow stone, there is a topaz for every color in the rainbow and there is a topaz color for everyone.
Loose Sky Blue Topaz Gemstones
Wedding anniversary: 4th
Mohs hardness: 8 / 10
You will also like: blue tourmaline or aquamarine
Looks great set in: yellow gold / white gold / platinum / silver
Topaz comes in many colors such as pink, peach, yellow, orange, gold, purple, green, and different shades of blue. Swiss blue topaz is bright blue in color and resembles the sky on a sunny day. Topaz can be found in countries around the world such as Brazil, Zimbabwe, Russia, Germany, and the USA. It is the official stone of Utah and you can even hunt for your very own stone at Topaz Mountain.
The Ancient Greeks believed wearing topaz would increase resilience and prepare you for future hardships. Known as a rainbow stone, there is a topaz for every color in the rainbow and there is a topaz color for everyone.
Loose Sky Blue Topaz Gemstones
Wedding anniversary: 4th
Mohs hardness: 8 / 10
You will also like: blue tourmaline or aquamarine
Looks great set in: yellow gold / white gold / platinum / silver
Yellow topaz is believed to be named after a small island in the Red Sea named Topazos where gold stones were found. Funnily enough, those gold stones were actually peridot, which long ago used to be confused with topaz. Topaz can actually be found around the globe and in all colors of the rainbow. The most valuable color, however, is red and topaz with this color is known as precious topaz or imperial topaz. Topaz symbolizes friendship and is believed to attract wealth and money.
Loose Yellow Topaz Gemstones
Birthstone: November
Wedding anniversary: 23rd
Mohs hardness: 8 / 10
You will also like: citrine
Looks great set in: yellow gold
Tourmaline’s name is derived from ‘Tourmali’ which means stone of mixed color in Sinhalese (Sri Lanka). Tourmaline comes in an array of rainbow colors including several beautiful shades of blue, which is tourmaline’s rarest color. Brazil yields the highest source of tourmalines in the world but the stone can also be sourced in Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Afghanistan, and Pakistan to name a few.
Tourmalines are divided into different varieties based on color. Light to dark blue tourmaline is called indicolite or indigolite and is colored by traces of iron whereas neon-blue/green tourmalines are called Paraiba tourmaline and colored by traces of copper. Paraiba tourmalines are prized for their vivid color and clarity, and are extremely rare, indeed.
Loose Blue Tourmaline Gemstones
Birthstone: October
Wedding anniversary: 8th
Mohs hardness: 7- 7.5 / 10
You will also like: blue topaz, blue zircon, blue diamond
Looks great set in: yellow gold / white gold / platinum / silver
Tourmaline’s name is derived from ‘Tourmali’ which means stone of mixed color in Sinhalese ( Sri Lanka). Tourmaline comes in an array of colors and it has a unique pleochroic characteristic that sets it apart from other stones; the stone’s color appears different when viewed from different angles. Mixed or color-zoned tourmaline is remarkable in that it contains a mix of colors that traverse the body of the gem, often step cut to enhance this characteristic and show off the color display.
Another feature of tourmaline is that its crystals are electrically polarized, resulting in electric fields that give it the ability to attract and repel hot ashes. In fact, tourmaline was once used to clean dust out of pipes. Of course, if you wear this beautiful birthstone, you’ll be keeping your stone clean, not using it to clean!
Loose Mixed Tourmaline Gemstones
Birthstone: October
Wedding anniversary: 8th
Mohs hardness: 7 – 7.5 / 10
You will also like: pink sapphire, garnets
Looks great in: yellow gold /white gold / platinum / silver
Tourmaline’s name is derived from ‘Tourmali’ which means stone of mixed color in Sinhalese (Sri Lanka). Tourmaline comes in an array of rainbow colors with green tourmaline available in a variety of shades. The trace of chromium atoms in the green tourmaline crystal is the same element that creates the green in emeralds and is what gives green tourmaline its vivid and bold color and its resemblance to the pricey and expensive emerald.
Brazil yields the highest source of tourmalines in the world but the stone can also be sourced in Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Afghanistan, and Pakistan to name a few. Tourmalines are divided into different varieties based on color; green tourmaline is called verdelite.
Loose Green Tourmanline Gemstones
Birthstone: October
Wedding anniversary: 8th
Mohs hardness: 7 – 7.5 / 10
You will also like: emerald and tsavorite garnet
Looks great set in: yellow gold / white gold / platinum / silver
Tourmaline’s name is derived from ‘Tourmali’ which means stone of mixed color in Sinhalese ( Sri Lanka). Tourmaline comes in an array of rainbow colors including a beautiful pink, which ranges from pale pink to deep red. The trace of lithium ions in the crystal structure of the stone gives it its noticeable pink color. The greater the ion concentration, the richer the pink color will be.
Brazil yields the highest source of tourmalines in the world but the stone can also be sourced in Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Afghanistan, and Pakistan to name a few. Tourmalines are divided into different varieties based on color; pink to red tourmaline is called rubellite.
Loose Pink Tourmaline Gemstones
Birthstone: October
Wedding anniversary: 4th, 8th
Mohs hardness: 7 – 7.5 / 10
You will also like: pink diamond, pink topaz
Looks great set in: rose gold / white gold / platinum / silver
As ancient as civilization itself, turquoise has held its status in cultures around the globe since 3000 BC. This opaque, greenish- blue mineral is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminum and comes in an array of colors from green to greenish blue and sky blue shades, sometimes with rivulets of other minerals that give it texture and intrigue. The name turquoise is related to its origins. It was first called ‘pierre tourques’ or Turkish stone, in French, because the stone was believed to first be brought to Europe via Turkey.
Loose Turquois Gemstones
Birthstone: December
Wedding anniversary: 11th
Mohs hardness: 5 -6 /10
You will also like: lapis lazuli / blue topaz
Looks great in: yellow gold / white gold / platinum / silver
The name zircon is said to be derived from the Persian word ‘zargun’, which means gold-colored. Zircon is made from a mineral found in the earth’s crust and is one of the oldest known minerals. It can be found worldwide but particularly in Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, India, Italy, and the USA.
Blue zircon is often confused with the inexpensive, lab-grown, synthetic stone, cubic zirconia, but it is in fact vastly different and is a valuable gemstone. Blue zircon is the most valuable of all zircon stones and is much softer than cubic zirconia or diamonds.
Loose Blue Zircon Gemstones
Birthstone: December
Wedding anniversary: 4th
Mohs hardness: 6 – 7.5 / 10
You will also like: blue topaz, blue tourmaline, and blue diamond
The name zircon is said to be derived from the Persian word ‘zargun’, which means gold-colored. Zircon is made from a mineral found in the earth’s crust and is one of the oldest known minerals. It can be found worldwide but particularly in Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, India, Italy, and the USA.
White zircon is often confused with the inexpensive lab-grown, synthetic stone, cubic zirconia, but it is in fact vastly different and is a valuable gemstone. White zircon is known for its fiery brilliance and is often used in jewelry as an affordable substitute to diamonds.
Loose White Zircon Gemstones
Mohs hardness: 6 – 7.5 / 10
You will also like: moissanite, white sapphire, white diamond, and cubic zirconia
Looks great set in: yellow gold / white gold / rose gold / platinum / silver
