Gemstone Education
Coloured stones, one at a time, with honest advice on what each can take
Chosen With the Heart as Much as the Eye
A coloured stone says something a diamond cannot. It signals personality, taste and choice: a stone selected for the wearer rather than for the wedding industry.
Coloured gemstones are described by three qualities of colour rather than the Four Cs. Hue is the colour family, tone is how light or dark it appears, and saturation is how vivid or muted it is. Strong, evenly distributed colour at a medium tone almost always looks more beautiful than a darker but patchy stone, and clarity standards are looser: most coloured stones contain visible inclusions, and that is entirely normal.
The most valuable colour is not always the best colour for the wearer. A dark sapphire may be technically impressive and still look heavy on the hand. Colour also shifts between daylight, office light and candlelight, which is why we always show stones in more than one light.
Eight Gemstone Guides
Each page covers colour range, hardness, treatments, what to watch and how to set it.
Sapphire
Mohs 9, eleven colours, and the best all-round coloured gemstone for daily wear. Read the guide.
Ruby
Red corundum, Mohs 9, and one of the few stones that can outprice diamond. Read the guide.
Emerald
An unmatched green with a jardin, low toughness and a need for protection. Read the guide.
Opal and Fire Opal
Play-of-colour like nothing else, and the care it genuinely needs. Read the guide.
Other Gemstones
Garnet, spinel, tourmaline, amethyst, citrine, peridot, topaz and moonstone. Read the guide.
The Metal Changes the Colour
The same stone reads differently depending on what surrounds it. Choose the pairing, not just the stone.
Platinum and White Gold
Cooler and cleaner. White metals let a stone's own colour read accurately, and suit blues, greens and icy pastels.
Yellow Gold
Warms a stone. Blues, greens and warm-toned stones feel richer against yellow gold, and it flatters antique cuts.
Rose Gold
Softens pink, peach, champagne and purple tones. Morganite in rose gold is the most requested combination we make.
Reference Guides
The Diamond and Gemstone Guide
Every gemstone stone by stone, plus durability, treatments, ethical sourcing and grading reports.
Round
Pear
Princess
Emerald
Oval
Asscher
Cushion
Marquise
Radiant
Heart
