Natural Precious Gemstones
Precious gemstones is the traditional name for the most valued group of gems: diamond, ruby and sapphire, both corundum (Al2O3), and emerald, a beryl (Be3Al2Si6O18). Our precious collection also includes topaz (Al2SiO4(F,OH)2). These stones combine hardness, from 7.5 to 9 on the Mohs scale, with rich color and a long history in fine jewelry.
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Gemstone guide
Natural Precious Gemstones
About precious gemstones
The split between precious and semi-precious stones is a trade tradition rather than a scientific category; it goes back to the nineteenth century, when diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald were the rarest and most expensive gems on the market. Today some semi-precious stones, such as fine tsavorite, spinel or Paraiba tourmaline, can be rarer and costlier than many rubies or sapphires, so quality matters more than the label. Ruby, sapphire and emerald are often called the big three, or the big four with diamond.
What you'll find in this collection
This collection brings together our rubies, sapphires in blue and many other colors, emeralds and topaz. You'll find faceted stones in every common shape as well as cabochons, from small accent stones to stones of many carats, for jewelry making and for collecting alike.
How to recognise precious gemstones
Ruby and sapphire are corundum: hard enough to scratch topaz, dense (about 4.0), pleochroic and often with fine rutile silk. Emerald is softer, lighter and almost always included, with a typical garden of fractures and fluid pockets. Topaz is hard, slippery-smooth when polished and has one perfect cleavage. A refractometer or a gem lab can separate them with certainty.
Caring for precious gemstones
Ruby and sapphire are the most durable and suit everyday rings. Emerald and topaz need protective settings: emerald because it is oiled and included, topaz because of its cleavage. Clean all of them with warm soapy water and a soft brush, and never put emeralds in ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
Every stone is natural, and each listing gives its weight, size, origin and treatment, with photos of the actual stone.