"I want to build my jewelry and gem collections. Which gem should I buy next?"
This is one of the most regularly asked questions we get here at Gemporia, from budding collectors and seasoned connoisseurs alike. It’s not an easy query to answer, as there are a bewildering number of stones to choose from in a whole rainbow of hues. On top of that, gems and jewelry are such personal items to own, and not everybody is at the same stage of their collecting journey. Further still, it may be a gift for a friend or family member.
To inspire you with as wide a variety of jewels as possible, we've asked a series of smaller questions, each answered with five gemstone suggestions. All of them were available on our website at the time of publishing this article.
Whether you’re new to collecting or very experienced, we hope you find this blog useful in tracking down the stones you’d like to add to your collection. To browse any of these beautiful gems, just click the relevant button underneath each stone. You can then use the options on the left hand side of the page to further refine what you're looking for. Happy gem hunting!
01. I'm New To This - Where Do I Start?
The ‘big four’ gemstones have, for many years, been Diamond, Sapphire, Ruby and Emerald, and they are still a great place to start when collecting gemstones. More recently, Tanzanite has started appearing as one of the renamed ‘big five’ due to its rarity, value and extreme beauty.
Diamond
Consistently the premier choice for an engagement ring for almost 100 years, the fire and sparkle of this stone make it an absolute must-have. More affordable than you think.
Explore Diamond
Sapphire
Also a popular engagement ring stone, Sapphire is a very fine blue gem that has been coveted and celebrated for thousands of years. An absolute essential.
Explore Sapphire
Ruby
Ruby is the red variety of Corundum, the same mineral family that gives us Sapphire. Its intense deep red color is unmistakable, and it has also been mined for thousands of years.
Explore Ruby
Emerald
Inclusions in gemstones are often perceived negatively, but in Emerald, the unique ‘jardin’ inclusions that appear in each stone give this vivid green treasure its personality.
Explore Emerald
Tanzanite
Discovered in 1967, Tanzanite is found in just one place on earth and supplies are limited. It rapidly gained attention with its distinctive deep blue hue and purple flashes.
Explore Tanzanite
02. I Have A Small Collection - Where Next?
These beautifully hued stones all have legions of fans and display stunning clarity across the board. Amethyst has been the most popular first purchase for new Gemporia customers for many years, and all of these stones remain perennially popular.
Amethyst
Variations in color saturation mean there’s a variety of Amethyst suitable for all, from the delicate shades of Rose de France to the deep tones of the Moroccan variety.
Explore Amethyst
Aquamarine
Named for its soft blue shade that occasionally shows the tiniest hints of green, Aquamarine looks as striking in white metals as it does in yellow gold.
Explore Aquamarine
Citrine
Like Amethyst, and indeed from the same Quartz family as its purple relative, Citrine is available in many shades, from light buttery yellows to deep, glowing oranges.
Explore Citrine
Peridot
A magnificent bright green stone that’s characterized by its golden undertones. It is rarely available in large carat weights. We source most of our fine quality Peridot from China.
Explore Peridot
Topaz
A very clear gemstone that is available in a vast number of colors, with soft golden Imperial Topaz and vibrant Imperial Pink Topaz being two sought-after varieties.
Explore Topaz
03. I Have A Medium Sized Collection - What Are Some Of The More Unusual Gemstones?
If you’ve been collecting for a little while, here are five stones you might not know too much about. Tourmaline and Sapphire are both wide-ranging gemstone groups, but two of their rarer types are definitely worth getting hold of as early as you can.
Csarite®
This stunning color-change stone comes from just one mine in Turkey, which is not producing at the time of writing. Its deep olive color gives way to softer pinks in candlelight.
Explore Csarite
Iolite
A gorgeous gemstone, Iolite displays a distinct blue body color characterized by violet and purple undertones and is an affordable alternative to Sapphire.
Explore Iolite
Moldavite
This incomparable dark green gem was created in the extreme pressure of a meteorite strike, around 14 million years ago in the present-day Czech Republic.
Explore Moldavite
Paraiba Tourmaline
Trace amounts of copper give this exceptionally rare Tourmaline variety a perfect tropical ocean hue. Named after the Brazilian state in which it was first discovered.
Explore Paraiba Tourmaline
Padparadscha Sapphire
This scarce variety of Sapphire seems to magically combine hints of yellow, orange, red and pink into a single gemstone. Needs to be seen to be believed.
Explore Padparadscha Sapphire
04. I Have An Extensive Collection - What Are The Really Rare Gems?
These five gemstones consistently show up on lists of the world’s very rarest. We’re very fortunate that we’ve been able to source these, with thanks to our tireless gem hunters. Bixbite has only recently become available from Gemporia, for the first time in our history.
Alexandrite
This remarkable color-change stone was discovered in 1830s Russia, and is often called ‘Emerald by day, Ruby by night’ because of its intense color shift.
Explore Alexandrite
Bixbite
Extremely rare. Sometimes known as Red Beryl, as it’s the deep red variety of the mineral family Beryl, which also includes Aquamarine, Emerald, Goshenite and Morganite.
Explore Bixbite
Grandidierite
This and Bixbite are probably the rarest two gemstones on this list, and we’ve only very recently been able to source this blue-green beauty for the first time.
Explore Grandidierite
Indicolite
Like Paraiba, this is another rare variety of the Tourmaline family. It is sought after not only because of its rarity, but also its soothing deep midnight blue hue.
Explore Indicolite
Larimar
Like Tanzanite and Csarite®, Larimar comes from only one location on the planet, the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean. Its unrivaled sky blue color is caused by copper.
Explore Larimar
05. Which Gemstones Have A Really Subtle Color?
Are you a fan of more muted tones and gentle colors? Or are you looking for gemstones that will sparkle and shine in the evening just as much as they do in the day? These five suggestions are full of gorgeous soft pastel colors that you’ll never tire of viewing.
Amblygonite
The delicately subtle tones of Amblygonite sit perfectly between soft apple greens and subtle lemon yellows. It looks even more stunning when set into a cluster.
Explore Amblygonite
Champagne Danburite
This light, delicate yellow-brown hue is just as luxurious as the refreshment from which it takes its name. Definitely a choice for understated elegance.
Explore Champagne Danburite
Morganite
First discovered in Madagascar in 1910, this pale pink beauty has the subtlest undertones of orange and is the gemstone epitome of feminine grace.
Explore Morganite
Prasiolite
Sometimes called Green Amethyst for simplicity, Prasiolite is a distinct color of Quartz that effortlessly brings to mind the soft spring green tones associated with the season.
Explore Prasiolite
Serenite
Mined from the bed of an ancient dried out lake in Oregon, USA, Serenite is a very high-quality Sunstone that displays soft, glowing citrus yellows.
Explore Serenite
06. Which Gemstones Have Deep Intense Colors?
If you’re looking for gemstones with deep, dark tones that effervesce with color and visual impact, then Mother Nature hasn’t left us short. The following gemstones offer some of the most robust and dependable hues that we’ve ever been fortunate enough to source.
Chrome Diopside
This is without exception one of the most vividly colored gemstones on the planet. The deep bottle greens of this gem are provided by the chromium content of the stone.
Explore Chrome Diopside
Kyanite
You’d be mistaken for thinking this was Sapphire at first glance, but Kyanite exudes a mysterious visual depth that is missing from its more famous counterpart.
Explore Kyanite
Onyx
Black is simply the safest color for fashion – it goes with everything. Onyx is available in large carat weights that look sensational in jewelry, for a bold, attention-grabbing look.
Explore Onyx
Rubellite
This Tourmaline variety delivers deep berry reds and pinks. When found with good clarity it is among the rarer gems you can own, but this is a color well worth seeking out.
Explore Rubellite
Smokey Quartz
This rich chocolate brown variety of Quartz is given further life by its golden yellow and cinnamon orange undertones, and remains affordable even in larger carat weights.
Explore Smokey Quartz
07. Which Gemstones Have Bold, Bright Hues?
If you’re looking to stand out with eye-catching, vibrant colors, you have plenty to choose from. You’ll have seen some beautiful bright colors already in this feature such as Amethyst and Ruby, but here are five that might not have immediately come to mind.
Andesine
Red Andesine has such a strong bright color that it looks like it would be hot to touch. It is usually found in small quantities in the far eastern lands of China and Mongolia.
Explore Andesine
Apatite
It’s hard to do the neon blues and greens of Apatite justice in words and pictures alone. Gazing into this vibrant gemstone needs to be done in person for the full effect.
Explore Apatite
Fluorite
The bright blues, glowing greens and powerful purples of this gemstone look fluorescent, and it’s no coincidence either. This is precisely how the gemstone got its name.
Explore Fluorite
Kunzite
Softer hued Kunzite would be at home in the ‘subtle’ category but bigger, deeper hued stones can absolutely hold their own alongside the boldest and brightest treasures.
Explore Kunzite
Turquoise
Not all bold colors need to be transparent, and this opaque dreamy blue-green treasure has been adorning humans since at least Ancient Aztec and Egyptian times.
Explore Turquoise
So Much More To Explore
We hope this blog has helped you discover some exciting gemstones that you've yet to add to your collection, but even here we're only scratching the surface. If you'd like to explore every gemstone we currently have in our jewelry vaults, click the below button to go to our gemstones page and use the drop-down menu (about half way down the page) to see our extensive list.
Explore Gemstones
