What You Need to Know About Gemstones

Diamonds aren't your only option. The right gemstone brings colour, meaning, and a one-of-a-kind look to your ring, and choosing one is easier than you might think. Here's what to know before you fall in love with a stone.

First, Think About Hardness

Before colour, consider durability, especially for a ring you'll wear every day. Gemstones are measured on the Mohs hardness scale from 1 to 10, where diamond sits at the very top as the hardest mineral on earth. The higher the number, the better a stone resists scratches.

Here's how our gemstones stack up:

• Sapphire & Ruby are the toughest at 9, ideal for daily wear.

• Emerald and aquamarine rate 8, durable with reasonable care.

• Opal rate 6, beautiful but better suited to occasional wear.

• Pearl rate 2.5, very soft most suited to occasional wear.

A softer stone isn't off the table; it just deserves a little extra care. Keep this in mind as you read on.

The Gemstones

Sapphire is the most durable and versatile choice. It comes in nearly every colour, most commonly blue, white, yellow, and pink, with trendy teal sapphires being a beautiful choice for a pacific northwest girl. As a general rule, the more intense the colour the better the quality, and medium to dark shades are the most sought after. That being said Montana Teal sapphires often show a lot more inclusions and typically carry a higher price tag.

Ruby like sapphire has great durability but its comparable rarity can make it a more premium choice of center stone. Rubies can command the highest per-carat price of any colored stone.

Emerald is unmistakable for its rich green, ranging from yellowish to bluish green, with deep bluish-green the most prized. Emeralds naturally hold inclusions, and even the highly prized ones are visibly included. These inclusions add character and prove your stone is one of a kind. Clearer, less opaque emeralds are valued higher.

Opal is pure magic, with a rainbow sheen that shifts as it moves. It comes in white, black, and blue tones, though semi-transparent white opal with a splash of rainbow is the favourite for engagement rings. As one of the softer and more porous choices, it's best treated with care.

Pearl Revered for their timeless elegance, pearls are among the world's most cherished gemstones. An organic gem, pearls nacre is easy to scratch and dull from chemicals if its not treated with care. 

Caring for Your Gemstone

Whatever stone you choose, a little care keeps it brilliant for life. Avoid scratching it or knocking it against hard surfaces, and clean it with mild foaming soap and warm water, then air dry or buff with a microfibre cloth. Do not use an ultrasonic or steam cleaner unless you know it’s completely safe to do so with your gemstone, check with your jeweller first. 

Still deciding? No question is too small. Book an appointment and we'll help you find the gemstone that's right for you.