Gemstone Guide

Buying a gemstone is often a very different experience than buying a diamond. Gemstones are bought based on favorite colors, wardrobe, personality, and fashion trends. While gemstones are judged using the 4Cs, just as diamonds are, each is judged separately. For example, a sapphire is compared to another sapphire, but wouldn't be compared to an emerald or aquamarine. Choose your gemstone jewelry based on your personal preferences.

Shape

We sell a number of different shaped gemstone jewelry. Some of our most popular shapes include round, marquise, oval, pear, princess, and baguette. 

Cut

Gems are cut in a variety of different ways. Transparent stones will often be cut with facets. Unlike diamonds, the facets are planned to maximize the color. Other stones like jade, opal, and onyx will be cut into a smooth domed shape known as a cabochon. While still other stones like cameos are intricately carved. 

Color

Gemstone color is different from judging the color of a diamond. Every gemstone has a range of color that runs from light to dark, and more vivid to less vivid with a small range of color considered preferable. All of the families of color are represented by gems of different types.

Clarity

Gems also have internal characteristics called inclusions. Some gemstones are known for having many inclusions like emerald or for having few inclusions like citrine. Each gemstone will be graded for clarity differently.

Like diamonds, gemstones are measured using carats. Unlike diamonds, each gemstone has a different density which greatly contributes to the weight of the stone.