Colored Gemstones: How to Choose the Perfect Stone for Your Custom Jewelry
Learn about the beauty, variety, and meaning of colored gemstones, and how to select the best one for your custom jewelry design.
Contents
What are Colored Gemstones?
Colored gemstones are natural minerals or organic materials that have been cut and polished to enhance their color and sparkle. They come in a rainbow of hues, from the classic red of ruby to the exotic green of emerald and the rare purple of amethyst.
Each stone is one-of-a-kind, providing you with hundreds of options to choose from. Carefully selected gemstones can make an outsized impact in the final look and feel of your custom jewelry.
Why Choose Them for Your Custom Design?
There are many reasons why people choose colored gemstones for their custom designs:
- They add personality and flair to your jewelry. Colored stones can express your style, taste, and mood. They can also help you stand out from the crowd.
- They can symbolize something special to you. Colored gemstones can represent your birth month, favorite color, anniversary, zodiac sign, or a meaningful event in your life. Each stone is full of symbolism and history.
- They can be more affordable and ethical. Many colored gemstones are less expensive than diamonds of the same size and quality. Colored stones are also more likely to be mined and sourced responsibly, making them a good diamond alternative.
- They can have healing and spiritual properties. Some people believe that certain stones bring luck, protection, love, or health, depending on their color and origin.
What to Consider When Purchasing Colored Gemstones
Buying a colored gemstone comes with its own set of considerations:
- The color of a gemstone is the most noticeable feature. You should look for a color that suits your skin tone, wardrobe, and personal preference. The hue, saturation, and tone of the color can affect how vivid and bright the stone looks. You can also contrast stones of different colors for added visual effect.
- The origin of a colored gemstone can affect its color, quality, and history. Some stones are more rare and valuable because they come from specific locations, such as Kashmir sapphires, Colombian emeralds, or Burmese rubies. You may want to consider a colored gemstone that has a reputable and verified origin, in addition to having special meaning or significance to you.
- The shape, or cut, of a gemstone can affect how it looks on your body: You can choose from a variety of shapes (round, oval, pear, square, marquise, heart, hexagon, and more). These shapes can all look different on your finger, neck, or ear, and they will match or contrast with other stones and settings.
- The size of a gemstone can affect its price, its visibility, and its impact. The size of a gemstone is measured by its weight in carats and its dimensions in millimeters. You should choose a size that fits your style, comfort level, and budget (each stone type will have a different impact on your budget).
- The quality of a colored gemstone is determined by its clarity, cut, and treatment. Clarity refers to how clear and flawless the stone is. Cut refers to how well the gemstone has been shaped and polished for maximum brilliance, beauty, and color. Treatment refers to any enhancements or alterations that have been done to the stone to improve its color or clarity, such as ‘heat treatment’ or ‘dying’.
Popular Gemstone Colors
There are literally hundreds of colored gemstones, each with their own unique characteristics and beauty. The best place to start is with your desired color. You can narrow from there down based on other criteria (symbolism, character, budget, etc.). Here are some of the most popular colors and stones that we've worked with:
- Red: ruby, garnet, alexandrite, spinel
- Pink: sapphire, topaz, opal, pearl, tourmaline, spinel, morganite
- Orange: sapphire, garnet, topaz, spinel
- Yellow: citrine, topaz, sapphire, tourmaline, spinel
- Green: sapphire, emerald, garnet, peridot, jade, tourmaline, alexandrite, moss agate, spinel
- Blue: sapphire, aquamarine, topaz, turquoise, opal, tanzanite, tourmaline, spinel
- Purple: amethyst, garnet, sapphire, jade, spinel
- Rainbow: opal, rainbow moonstone
- Black: opal, pearl, spinel, onyx
- Grey: spinel
- White: sapphire, opal, pearl, jade, spinel, moss agate, topaz
Interesting Facts
- The word "gem" comes from the Latin word "gemma", meaning "bud" or "flower". This reflects the ancient belief that gemstones were the blossoms of the earth.
- Ancient Egyptians believed that colored stones had magical powers for protection, healing, and communication with the gods. They buried their pharaohs with gemstones to ensure their safe passage to the afterlife.
- Ancient Indians considered gemstones to be the essence of cosmic energy and the manifestation of the divine. They used gemstones for meditation, astrology, and ayurveda, believing they could balance the chakras and the elements in the body.
Our Recommendation for Colored Gemstones in Custom Jewelry Designs
Start with the Color and Cut
- The color of a gemstone is its most defining characteristic, and the one that most speaks to our emotions. Whether it’s the deep blue of a sapphire or the fiery red of a ruby, choose a color that resonates with you.
- Don’t forget about the cut. A well-cut stone will reflect light beautifully, enhancing its color and brilliance. This is especially important if you’re choosing a colored gemstone for an engagement ring - you’ll want to love it every time you look at it!
Consider Durability, Care, and Maintenance
- If you plan on wearing your colored gemstone jewelry daily, it’s important to consider the hardness of the stone. Your lifestyle may require a more durable colored gemstone to withstand everyday wear and tear.
- Some colored stones require more care than others (and they typically require more care than diamonds). Some stones should be kept out of sunlight for long periods of time or removed during certain activities (this is because they are lower on the Moh’s scale of hardness). You'll need to remember to treat your gemstones with the care that they deserve.
At Kris Averi, we’re here to guide you through the process of choosing the perfect colored gemstone for your style, budget, and intended use. We believe in making informed purchases, and we’re committed to helping you find a stone that you’ll love for years to come.
The Kris Averi Promise
We welcome you just as you are, in your authenticity and unique expression of love.
We believe love knows no bounds, limitations, or exceptions. It is all inclusive, and so are we. Here at Kris Averi, we are committed to standing behind all love, always.
We look forward to helping you make your dreams come true.
