Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This really is true for colored gemstones. Basically, don’t buy a colored gemstone if it does not appeal to you. However, there are other factors to consider of course.

 

 

You need to know if the stone you are buying is natural (real). Just about any gemstone can be synthetically duplicated using materials and processing which don’t occur during natural formation. Unless you have a very limited budget, you should probably stay away from gemstones that were created in a laboratory.

Some colored gemstones, such as rubies, sapphires, and citrines, could be heat-treated. In the case of rubies and sapphires this is done to achieve a richer shade. Citrines can start out as amethysts. This means that citrines can still naturally occur, however can be made from amethysts as well. While both are still “real” gemstones, a reputable dealer will tell you which type you are purchasing. 

Jewelry stores are supposed to disclose if a stone was heat-treated, so make sure you are purchasing your colored gemstones from a reputable source. Even though a heat-treated stone is considered less rare, it is perfectly acceptable, if that is what you desire. 

You can choose a gemstone already in a setting, or buy them loose and have the jeweler mount them for you. Comparing different stones of the same type side by side will make the details of each one come alive for you. This should help you decide, regardless if you choose to purchase your gem loose or already set. 

 

 

Other factors to consider are the shape and cut. Some gemstones look Better Square, while others look better with facets. Quartz, amethyst, and topaz are some popular examples of colored stones that look very nice in a square cut. Sapphires, emeralds, and rubies are usually cut with facets. Some stones like opals cannot be faceted. 

There are huge price differences for the same size. For example, a one-carat sapphire will have a different price than a one-carat emerald. It depends on the rarity of the stone itself. Price is also affected by the natural size. The larger a stone occurs in nature, the cheaper the carat price. 

Just think of the huge chunks of amethyst that you can see in a lot of stores and how inexpensive they are. However, you would not be able to find alexandrite in chunks like that, even though the color is similar. Hence you would pay much more for a one-carat alexandrite ring than a one carat amethyst ring. 

You also need to keep in mind that not every stone has the same amount of durability. If you plan on wearing a ring daily, you should strongly consider going with a resilient stone. Sapphires, rubies, and garnets are considered quite hardy. Emeralds, pearls, and opals on the other hand are more suitable for earrings or pendants. 

No matter what type of colored stones you decide on in the end, make sure you take care of them well. They are indeed a beautiful investment.